Texas women’s basketball got off to a slow start against the Pennsylvania Quakers in their 81-63 victory Sunday at Moody Center.
It was the No. 4 Longhorns’ first time back in Austin since they picked up two ranked road wins in Las Vegas (76-65 over No. 3 UCLA and 66-64 over No. 2 South Carolina). To avoid a trap, the Longhorns relied on five players in double-digit scoring on Sunday, 27 bench points and 23 points off turnovers to pull of a win that started ugly.
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The Longhorns (8-0) had four of their six first-half turnovers in the first quarter from offensive miscommunication and Penn took advantage early with seven points. The Quakers had an early lead because Texas played sagging defense and didn’t pay attention to backdoor cuts to the basket to take a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) and forward Justice Carlton (11) jump for a rebound during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns huddle on the court ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Members of the 2024 Texas Longhorns team line the court for a Final Four ring presentation ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer presents a Final Four ring to guard Rori Harmon (3) ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer presents a Final Four ring to former Texas Longhorns Taylor Jones ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer presents a Final Four ring to former Texas Longhorns Taylor Jones ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer holds a Final Four ring to be presented to players ahead of the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer meets Incarnate Word head coach Jhasmin Player ahead of the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) pushes past Incarnate Word guard Gwendlyn McGrew (14) during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) loses the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) collides with Incarnate Word guard Destiny Whitaker (24) during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Kyla Oldacre (00) pressures Incarnate Word guard Madison Cockrell during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) looks for an open team mate for a pass during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer disputes a call during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) pushes past Incarnate Word guard Gwendlyn McGrew (14) during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) pushes past Incarnate Word guard Gwendlyn McGrew (14) during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Teya Sidberry (32) dribbles the ball towards the Incarnate Word basket during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Kyla Oldacre (00) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns fans cheer during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Bryanna Preston (1) dribbles the ball towards the Incarnate Word basket during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Teya Sidberry (32) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Kyla Oldacre (00) guards Incarnate Word forward Mallory McQuietor (21) during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) dribbles the ball towards the Incarnate Word basket during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Aaliyah Crump (23) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) signals her team during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns forward Breya Cunningham (25) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) shoots the ball during the game against Incarnate Word at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) and Incarnate Word guard Destiny Whitaker (24) fight for control of the ball during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns guard Madison Booker (35) dribbles the ball towards the Incarnate Word basket during the game at the Moody Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 in Austin.
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Coming out of the second quarter, UT guard Joran Lee drained a quick jumper and fellow guard Justice Carlton fought through contact to tie the game 15-15. Carlton, who finished with 10 points, was a reliable scorer for the Longhorns in the first half and helped Texas find its rhythm.
The Longhorns offense had its best performance in the second quarter, scoring 30 points behind a nine-point performance from Teya Sidberry. Penn was playing a tight defense along the perimeter that made it hard for Texas to get any penetration, but quick shots inside and shooting 50% from behind the arc gave the Longhorns the 41-27 lead.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer speaks with the officials in the first quarter as the Longhorns take on the Richmond Spiders at the Moody Center in Austin, Nov. 7, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Coming out of halftime, Texas started a bit slow again but eventually found a groove despite Penn becoming more confident from the floor. Catching Texas on its heels and bullying their way to the paint, the Quakers were a perfect 12 of 12 from the free throw line and shot 4 of 13 from 3-point range in the second half.
The Longhorns found success on offense in the second half from finding open looks in the paint where they collected 36 points.
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Texas will take the court Thursday in the ACC/SEC Challenge against No. 12 North Carolina.
MORE: Madison Booker is already a star; Texas now needs her to lead, too
MORE: Where do the Longhorns rank in preseason power rankings?
Follow along for game highlights:
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Texas vs Penn live game updates
FINAL: Texas 81, Penn 63
End of 4th: Texas 81, Penn 63
4th (1:39): Texas 79, Penn 63
Penn calls a timeout as Texas works to drain the clock.
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4th (3:53): Texas 77, Penn 55
Sidberry drains a jumper from the free-throw line. Oldacre tries to go for the steal and it appears she was tripped while trying to corral the ball; a jump ball was called. Penn streaks up the court and sinks both free throws after Lee fouls the shooter. Booker tries to make the field goal on a high inbound pass but is fouled and makes both free throws.
4th (5:13): Texas 73, Penn 51
Booker is coming alive with two straight trips to the charity stripe, but Penn drains another 3-point shot in the corner. Graves responds with her own 3-pointer. Oldacre gives a few pump-fakes to create a small window to drain a field goal. Sidberry makes a 3-pointer at the top of the arc, forcing Penn to call a timeout.
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4th (7:18): Texas 63, Penn 48
Sidberry sinks a floater and Booker drains a pair of free throws. But Sarah Graves gives a bit too much room and Penn downs a 3-pointeron the wing.
End of 3rd: Texas 59, Penn 45
3rd (1:19): Texas 55, Penn 43
Booker takes the outlet pass herself and dribbles around a screen to sink a jumper and a trip to the free throw line, which she makes. But Texas’ defense forgets about a Penn player who scores on a backdoor cut. Texas calls a timeout.
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3rd (3:16): Texas 52, Penn 41
Lee drains a three at the top of the key, she is 50% from behind the arc. Penn is finding the right bounce on the rim to stay close to Texas and their shooters are starting to warm up.
3rd (5:45): Texas 47, Penn 36
Penn rallies off a few quick jumpers but so does Sidberry to keep Texas’ double-digit lead. Booker drains a pair of free throws. Too much passing on an offensive possession for Texas results in a turnover and a fast break bucket for Penn.
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End of 2nd: Texas 41, Penn 27
Oldacre goes for the hook shot to extend Texas’ lead and Carlton continues to be the scoring threat for the Longhorns. Texas continues to share the welath and force turnovers on fast break points, but Penn finds the basket and drains a 3-pointer when given the space to shoot.
2nd (4:20): Texas 33, Penn 18
Texas’ offense is finding its rhythm after Booker draws a charge, four Oldacre points and forcing a Penn turnover on the inbound. Harmon keeps finding an open Carlton and she is the Longhorns’ leading scorer with eight points so far. Harmon breaks the Penn full-court press to find an open Lee who makes the corner 3-pointer. Harmon drains another three off the wing during a Texas fast break and forces a Penn timeout.
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2nd (7:04): Texas 21, Penn 18
Lee fires off a quick jumper to make it 15-13 Penn. Justice Carlton fights through contact to score to tie the game but a quick Penn 3-pointer gives the Quakers back the lead. Texas goes to Carlton again who fights contact to cut the deficit. A hustle play from Booker saves a loose ball who chucks it away to prevent a jump ball and Carlton gives Texas a lead. Penn calls timeout after a Booker jumper from the free throw line.
End of 1st: Penn 15, Texas 11
1st (1:24): Penn 14, Texas 8
UT head caoch Vic Schaefer is issued a technical foul and Penn regains its six-point lead.
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1st (2:06): Penn 12, Texas 8
Miscommunications on offense and loose defense gives way to a Penn lead. A Booker jumper helps close the gap.
1st (5:52): Texas 6, Penn 5
Texas’ defense is already suffocating the Quaker offense after a block and five-second violation in the same possession. Penn is playing a suffocating man-to-man defense that overloads ball side, making it difficult to get penetration into the paint. A Harmon jumper is good and she forces a turnover after. Nijike’s jumper is good to give Penn an early lead, but Jordan Lee gives the Longhorns the lead after making her free throws.
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Texas starting lineup
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Penn starting lineup
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Texas women’s basketball vs Penn start time, TV info
TV/radio: SEC Network+, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)
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Texas women’s basketball schedule