Texas, still unbeaten at 14-0, rattled South Dakota State 70-51 in Brookings, breaking a brief period of travel rust.
Game Recap
The Longhorns opened the season on the road and stayed hot, outscoring the Jackrabbits 70-51. Jordan Lee led Texas with 17 points on 6-for-15 shooting, including 3-for-8 from beyond the arc. Madison Booker added 14 points on 7-for-20 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, while Rori Harmon chipped in 11 points. Texas shot 46 % from the field, held South Dakota State to 36 %, and forced 23 turnovers.
Brooklyn Meyer led the Jackrabbits with 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting, going 10-4 from the free-throw line. South Dakota State’s streak of three consecutive Summit League tournament championships continued to loom, but the Longhorns’ defense held them to a sub-40 % field-goal percentage.
Injuries & Lineup Challenges
Both teams have battled injuries early in the season. Longhorn guard Bryanna Preston returned after more than a month of absence, scoring nine points with four assists in 11 minutes. Ashton Judd, easing back into the lineup, logged 22 minutes. Teya Sidberry has “played on one leg pretty much the entire season.” “She’s tough and gutsy,” Schaefer said of Sidberry. “I really appreciate her.” Freshman guard Aaliyah Crump remains out, but Schaefer added, “Once she’s back, we’ll be fine.”
Coach’s Reflections & Future Plans
Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer said after the game that any win on the road is a good win, but he believed the team set a tone at the morning shootaround that carried over into the game. “This is a tough place to play, and they’re a great team, but I thought we were a little sleepy,” Schaefer said. “The shootaround wasn’t great, and that’s kind of how we played.” He also noted the thinness at guard positions and small forward, pushing Lee, Booker and Harmon to stretch their limits in playing time. “I think all of them had earned the right to have an off day,” Schaefer said. “To play 40 minutes against the schedule we’ve had, and to be 14-0 right now, that’s really special.”
Texas will not return to the floor until Dec. 28 in its final non-conference game against Southeast Louisiana. Schaefer praised the squad’s resilience and said they deserve a break: “These kids have earned a break. They deserve it,” Schaefer said. “They’ve navigated a very difficult non-conference schedule, the hardest one I’ve ever had, and I want them to go home and enjoy time with their families.”
Key Takeaways
- Texas remains undefeated at 14-0, defeating South Dakota State 70-51 in Brookings.
- Jordan Lee, Madison Booker and Rori Harmon combined for 42 points, while the team shot 46 % from the field.
- Injuries continue to affect both rosters, but the Longhorns’ depth helped them maintain a 14-0 record.
The Longhorns’ road win in Brookings confirms their ability to stay sharp on the road, and the team looks forward to a well-deserved break before the final non-conference matchup on Dec. 28.
