FORT WORTH, TEXAS
No. 5 seed Kentucky’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend in a decade came to an end Saturday afternoon with a 76-54 loss to top-seeded Texas at Dickies Arena.
Though senior forward and 3-point shooter Amelia Hassett was first to score in the game, the Longhorns responded with a thundering, 29-8 run for the remainder of the quarter. UK leading scorer Clara Strack was held scoreless for the entirety of the period, as only Hassett (3 points), starting forward Teonni Key (4 points), reserve guard Jordan Obi (2 points) and freshman Kaelyn Carroll (2 points) — who entered the game far earlier than is typical, with 4:41 to go — scored in the first 10 minutes.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Clara Strack #13 of the Kentucky Wildcats battles Breya Cunningham #25 of the Texas Longhorns for the ball during the second quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Elsa Getty Images
Strack finally broke through at the 6:48 marker of the second period to cut Texas’ lead to 19 points; she did not score another field goal until the final minute of the half. Ahead of the matchup, several UK players spoke to the importance of resisting production lulls, as those droughts ultimately sealed Kentucky’s coffin in its 64-53 loss to the Longhorns Feb. 9 (despite pulling within 1 point with 6:23 remaining in the final quarter).
Through relentless defensive pressure and balanced offensive production, Texas led by 22 at the half. The Longhorns held Kentucky to just 10 made field goals (29% shooting) in the first 20 minutes and forced 11 turnovers, which Texas converted to 14 points. Foul trouble, a familiar woe for UK, reared its head early once again — starting guard Asia Boone logged 3 personal fouls by halftime, while Obi was called for 2.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Madison Booker #35, Breya Cunningham #25 and Jordan Lee #7 of the Texas Longhorns defend against Jordan Obi #0 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Elsa Getty Images
Neither team came out firing in the third quarter, though Kentucky managed to narrowly outscore the Longhorns in the period, 16-15, to cut the No. 1 seed’s lead to 21. UK’s strongest quarter of the game was fueled by 7 points from Strack, making her the first Kentucky player to eclipse double-figure scoring. Obi was called for a pair of additional personal fouls, bringing her total to 4 before the end of the quarter.
Kentucky opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, as little-used, senior guard Josie Gilvin made a defensive impact in the final period of play to help force 5 turnovers over the course of 4 minutes. The momentum didn’t stick in Kentucky’s favor for long, though, as Texas answered with a 7-0 run in less than a minute. The Longhorns went on to outscore Kentucky 13-12 in the period, with the final two Texas points coming via free throw following a foul committed by Key at the 30.8-second mark that was upgraded to a flagrant 1.
Texas, which entered the game ranked No. 4 nationally in points differential (+ 29.0), finished with three players in double-figure scoring; All-America forward Madison Booker scored 17 points, starting sophomore guard Jordan Lee scored 18 points and All-America point guard Rori Harmon scored 11 points.
Strack led Kentucky in scoring with 16 points. Boone finished with 11 points. Key added 10 points.
This season marked the first Sweet 16 appearance for Kentucky since 2016.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Rori Harmon #3 of the Texas Longhorns defends against Tonie Morgan #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Elsa Getty Images
Next season, the team expects to return leading scorer and All-America center Strack, as well as Boone and Carroll, a freshman and former five-star prospect. UK will graduate Hassett, Key, Obi, Gilvin and starting point guard Tonie Morgan, all of whom are out of eligibility. The program will welcome a trio of McDonald’s All-Americans in Maddyn Greenway, Emily McDonald and Savvy Swords.
This season also marks the second time Brooks has reached the Sweet 16 in his career, the first coming in 2023 when he took Virginia Tech to the Final Four before falling to eventual national champion LSU.
Texas will face No. 2 Michigan Monday in the Elite Eight for a spot in the Final Four.
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 5:15 PM.
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Caroline Makauskas is a sports reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She covers Kentucky women’s basketball and other sports around Central Kentucky. Born and raised in Illinois, Caroline graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Journalism and Radio/Television/Film in May 2020.
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