Texas Loses To NC State in NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
The Texas Longhorns run came to an end at the hands of the NC State Wolfpack, as they lost, 76-66 in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Tournament in Portland, Ore., on Sunday.
The Longhorns (33-5) had little answer for Wolfpack (31-6) guard Aziaha James, who matched her career-high with five 3-pointers in the first half as she led NC State to a 43-31 lead at halftime. James had 21 points at the break and finished with 27 points as Texas was able to limit her in the second half.
James did set a new career high with her seventh 3-pointer, as the Wolfpack had nine treys for the game.
What Texas did not have was offense of its own. The Longhorns were down 17 points at one point in the first half and despite outscoring the Wolfpack in the third quarter they were down 10 points with less than five minutes to play.
The closest Texas got down the stretch was seven points after a three-point play by forward Taylor Jones. NC State then stretched it back to a 10-point lead.
River Baldwin scored 16 points for the Wolfpack, while Saniya Rivers scored 11 points and Mimi Collins added 10 points. The Wolfpack are making their second trip to the Final Four and their first under coach Wes Moore. The Wolfpack went to the Final Four in 1998 under legendary coach Kay Yow.
Madison Booker led Texas with 17 points, while Shay Holle scored 12, Jones scored 11 and Aaliyah Moore added 10 points.
Texas was trying to reach the Final Four for the first time under coach Vic Schaefer and for the first time since 2003. The Longhorns reached the Elite Eight for the third time in four years under Schaefer.
This was Texas’ final women’s basketball game as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Texas, along with Oklahoma, will join the SEC in July.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
