No. 3 Texas vs BYU | Big 12 | 3.2.24

AUSTIN, Texas — March 2nd, 2024

Texas outscored BYU 40-22 in paint points and rolled to a 71-46 victory on Saturday at Moody Center.

With the win Texas finishes second in the league standings and will be the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Championship, which starts next week in Kansas City.

Freshman Madison Booker led Texas with 20 points in her 20th straight games scoring in double figures and 11th game of the season scoring 20 or more points. Booker also added five assists.

Aaliyah Moore tallied 16 points and eight rebounds. Taylor Jones and DeYona Gaston scored 13 points each. Senior Shaylee Gonzales recorded five assists and three steals. The Longhorns honored seniors Shaylee Gonzales and Khadija Faye after the game.

Texas allowed eight points to BYU in the second quarter and led the Cougars 29-22 at halftime. In the third quarter the Longhorn outscored BYU 23-10. Texas shot 10-of-18 in the period. Texas used a 15-0 run in the third quarter to go up 44-24 and held BYU scoreless for 4:18 of game time.

For the game Texas held BYU to 34.7 percent shooting from the field. The Longhorns forced BYU into 22 turnovers and committed nine themselves.

Up next Texas will begin play in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, March 9 in Kansas City, Mo. The Longhorns will play either No. 7 seed Kansas or No. 10 seed BYU.

Postgame Notes

• The Longhorns faced off against the Cougars for the seventh time ever. They have won six of the seven matchups. Texas improves to 27-4 for the season and finishes 14-4 in conference play.

• Texas won the turnover battle 22-9, making it the 18th time they have forced an opponent to 20 or more turnovers.

• The Longhorns had triple the second chance points, as they outscored the Cougars 21-7 in that department.

• Freshman Madison Booker opened the scoring to begin the game and ended the first quarter with a fading buzzer-beater to tie the ball game at 14 apiece, scoring nine of the team’s points.

• The defense of Texas came through in the second quarter as they limited BYU to just eight points, including a span in which they went 0-4 shooting and two turnovers in six straight possessions, they forced them to three shots-clock violations and drew a charge. It is the 24th time this season holding an opponent to less than 10 points.

• Senior Shaylee Gonzales had a well-balanced game, leading the team defense with three steals, one block, five assists, four rebounds. Gonzales played in her 155th collegiate game tonight.

• Senior Khadija Faye established her presence scoring early in the first quarter and setting the tone defensively by getting a steal.

• Freshman Madison Booker had 20 points mid-way through the third quarter, and finished the night with five assists, and three rebounds. She is now tied for third on the all-time freshman assist list with Carla Cortijo at 147 assists. Booker is sixth on the freshman scoring list with 495 points.

• Post players Aaliyah Moore, Taylor Jones, and DeYona Gaston combined to shoot 16-of-23 from the field.

• Texas improved to 30-5 in games at Moody Center.

The final game of the Big 12 regular season first Big 12 meeting between BYU and number three Texas lot to play for in this one the conference seating has already been determined in terms of U winning the regular season Title by virtue of a win Wednesday night Norman

Over Texas but Texas trying to hold on to that two seed line and keep that resume strong Tyler Denning Andrea Lloyd lot to look forward to tonight some great story lines interin between these two teams yeah absolutely Texas coming off that tough loss at U they are

Fueled and Booker with this good start we have seen her do that all year long at the point guard position she is deadly with that jump shot starting five for BYU Amari Whiting Wilson Kaylee Smiler Lauren Gustin number 12 that’s the one you’re going to want to watch

Rose bubacar in there as well Lauren Gustin leads the NCAA rebounds per game double doubles with 28 big night as well senior night Shaye Gonzalez for Texas began her career at BYU a teammate of Gustin in high school at BYU as well Booker began the scoring for Texas

The phenomenal freshman very much in play for National freshman of the Year big 12 Player of the Year shot clock at two Taylor Jones rebounds for Texas is into Jones in the [Applause] post pull up and transition is good that’s what you will see from BYU they like to push

Pap and really a fantastic story she is Amber Whiting as the head coach comes in with only High School experience at the division one level it’s been a terrific job in her first two seasons off the glass of foul just passed the Sentry Mark with 102

Wins how about that you were going to say The sentury Mark with his birthday today but no not the Cent it is his birthday so happy birthday to Vic schaer today cutting cake outside with the students in between a busy day here at Moody with the men playing earlier Victorious over Oklahoma

State great back cut good finish off the glass that’s what you have to do against pressure goinging drout of 2 and 1/2 minutes well neither team shooting well BYU two for seven Texas with the [Applause] turnover straight on three is good you have to like their aggressiveness though

And their intensity coming into this game Booker pushes the defender off and pulls up with the mid-range Booker 16.4 points per [Applause] game Texas Duo of Defenders there she was the All-American point guard for Texas and there was nobody standing in line except for Madison Booker to say

Hey I’m willing to play point guard Booker had played point guard a little bit in high school played backup point guard as well for Vic shaer and she just took the Reigns of this team and carried them on the back her her back I think for that first month as they were

Adjusting to life after Rory Harmon Wilston the 85% free throw shooter gets both to go down BYU a 106 Advantage Gonzalez Gaston Holly Muhammad and Booker the five on the floor be Gaston with the second chance and the chance for three the hard one just finding her groove here in the last few

Games averaging 18 minutes per game 8.5 points 3.8 rebounds be a huge part of that for Texas’s success today moving forward see Yu now the scoring drought field goals none for the last 246 good move by Gustin to get herself space on the baseball yeah that was just a really

Nice set play by BYU a terrific screen and re you certainly want to get Lauren Gustin some looks they’re back in that 131 Zone she’s averaging 17.2 points to go with those 15.4 rebounds Booker will go to the line Booker six one she’s been challenged Vic has

Challenged her in the last two weeks to be more aggressive at the offensive end BYU opportunity for the final shot of the first quarter that has could be a baseball [Applause] score Mohammad out defending take by Whiting will earn the whistle and she also committed to playing at I believe

Oregon coming out of high school and then decided when her mom got the job at BYU that she wanted to play for her mom I think probably both of them were happy Amber Whiting was concerned about what she was going to do without having Amari in the house and coaching her doesn’t

Call her mom though in this environment we either call her Amber call her coach or coach Whiting she Nails both from the line BYU perfect from the strike Booker will get a heave to end the quarter pulls up good they will look at it but Madison

Booker quick down in the frame of mind to make the jumper to send it to the break 14 all Texas fabulous freshman pulls up that’s [Applause] good Happy Birthday coach Vic schaer outside the moody in between the men’s game and the women’s game tonight serving some birthday cake for the students that are pulling off the double header Dylan du Su Texas’s men star was out there but coach Vic schaer has came in and there’s a

Standard Andrea you played here at Texas and he has helped reestablish that standard for Texas one of the Premier programs in the country well he has just done such a terrific job you look just in four years at his winning percentage Big 12 titles El leite eight in the 13

Seasons before with guon Corson Aston who had successful teams in the top 25 did very very well that Vic Schaefer has found an edge and put an edge back on this Texas team once again see the two big 12 titles and if I know Vic schaer

I’m sure that game on by Kansas State could be in play with the Texas loss they would then shift into the two we will break all that down for you at halftime talk about the opening quarter what did you see ah Madison Booker was terrific on Texas’s end core of six from

The field the rest of the team one for eight and for BYU they came out with a Vengeance and Booker continues to score but they have had really good play from their guards from their Bench we talked earlier about Booker finding a different level but I think there’s an even another level for her which is when her team needs her to score and take over it’s taking that initiative we were here for the Texas Tech game there were some rolls there

Scoring wise as Gustin responds on the other end but the assertiveness for Booker to watch [Applause] Texas and Holly moving the ball around Gaston rebounds and the second chance points for d g Dustin met by Gonzalez fighting for the rebound ends up in the arms of Holly Booker controls for

Texas Madison Booker will go to the strike they have made the most the fans have shown up the student engagement is really impressive too absolutely it’s the students I think that have really made the difference for Texas and it started about a month ago and a lot of students on campus challenged other

Students to support their women’s team that was basically in the top 10 all year long and as high as they get up to number three in the in the rankings at one point for Texas and there’s just a different level of volume in here with the students and and

Excitement sign said let Booker cook and that is what Madison Booker has done for this Texas team is good of a freshman campaign as we have Seen Baston fighting [Applause] finishing bolon pulls up fast Texas a little frantic on that break off the make be way you needed that basket right there it’s a third made three on six attempts for BYU has really felt the energy moving towards burnt orange Booker on the turnaround will go to the line

Again two-time USA Basketball Riders Association National freshman of the week National player of the week as well there is Kaylee Smiler the senior from New Zealand and what a story for her of toughness earlier this season had taken the elbow to the Head had a 2-in laceration he got eight Staples and then

Returned to the game now this is a young lady that also almost lost her life in a wakeboarding accident in 2019 has a huge scar on her leg he is a tough cookie handling the ball right now this is mayori from New Zealand takes a lot of

Pride in her mayori culture a shot clock at one Dustin unawares shot clock violation so Booker gets the Breather leam Moore will send her to the other side is a flash screen for more nice set the Texas ran yeah just against the zone right there has been a while for the Cougars

To hit a [Applause] basket there’s a good open look back iron the foul will be on the floor on the rebound going over the back and that’ll be her third foul so she’ll take a seat on the bench Not Unusual to see Whiting out there on the floor with two

Fouls it was Whiting that popped in we were FaceTiming with well Zoom excuse me with Coach Amber Whiting with Mom and then Amari came over and Mom Amber also the head coach said freshman he didn’t say oh my daughter yeah he shows you that interesting Dynamic but great

Energy between the two but she an important piece to run this offense for BYU sitting on the bench The Freshman are an important piece of BYU and they are goofy but they are talented Booker doesn’t do this a ton shoot the three Booker just a 28% three point shooter buries it from

Deep Texas continues to build on their biggest lead he’s still doing a lot of things out there except scoring great for Texas’s defense as Texas’s Defense 5 minutes and 30 seconds the scoring drought for BYU that ball tipped out P five with the defense Booker back the other

Way trying to find more in the post it was Calbert Texas will get a breather for Madison Booker as well there’s some extended halftime break 17 points already for Madison Booker ESPN recently came out with their top 25 players and she was in the top 15

Rightfully so a new arrival to the top 25 you remember Rory Harmon was in the top 10 at one point earlier the season before her injury six turnovers over their last seven times down to their offensive side well this is the advantage Texas has with his depth they can rotate post

Players in and out and in and out K Holly at the guard can go forever Texas had a foul to give well with the big 12 tournament you know coming up and obviously ncaa’s play coming up it’s such an advantage to have depth Texas has that OU has death as

Well and a couple of other teams in uh the Big [Applause] 12 that was the fifth that put BYU in the bonus why kayy Smiler is at the line 75 % free throw shooter misses both so the drought continues BYU has been stuck on 19 about two and a half between shot and Game wolston the leading scorer for BYU with eight pulls up from deep that was pretty great job great recondition by Wilson and we’re going to go to half that was a big three-point make to wrestle a little momentum and not feel as if they were out on this one

They had just eight points in that second quarter would have had five if it were not for that heave that was from deep is wolston Tangles same starting five wolston Smiler Gustin bubacar and Davenport for BYU Texas Gonzalez Holly Moore Booker and Jones haven’t seen a ton from from Jones Just 5

Minutes Texas is big on the defense there right in her face gtin with the make gtin now three of eight from the field for six point a little quiet in the first half I think offensively it’s really helpful when Lauren can get involved at the offensive end for BYU SC

Points in that first [Applause] half [Applause] Jones missing both Texas 70.5 from the line as a te [Applause] but trying to work with Whiting Corner three glances the rim more Collex Booker trying to go quick for Texas back it out and set up the offense good transition defense right there can Texas find something for

Shaylee Gonzalez playing here senior night against her former University more good one more with seven a piece shot clock once again under 10 Jones with the swipe Gonzalez Texas back the other way three on three Gonzalez with the find more will go to the line with the hard contact reaching

For that left ankle we know about the left knee you see the the big brace nice look on the inside right there you’ll just see nice pass more just Falls a little bit awkwardly talks with opposing coaches and also her own coaches at BYU about

What to do in town where to stay she likes to go a run go up to ask she woke up and ran out at Town Lake it’s interesting we haven’t even talked about the fact that this is the big the last Big 12 regular season game for uh Texas

As they’ll be moving to the secc next year as well yeah volleyball played an exhibition earlier this week and I don’t know if you saw they unveil but new cour is Booker swipes the turnover is good with the make Swagger back as she will shoot the [Applause] N1 times you

See the evolution of a freshman and I think today you’re even seeing Madison Booker take things up another notch making things happen defensively she’s got those huge hands great timing you see the emotion she’s playing with today that’s something we haven’t seen yet from Madison Booker Texas maybe they were in fifth gear

Defensively have now gone into sixth [Applause] on BYU really needs to find an answer right now they need to execute find some ways to score 80 run for Texas this their largest lead over two minutes of scoring drought BYU once again a broken record over here shot clock under

10 how many shots have they had under two seconds just a he from Whiting it’s another shot clock violation Texas will take the ball out of bounds Gonzalez still over he shot the ball six times sper heades out but Booker with the fine Jones to the

Line I think you have to remember I mean you see something different from Booker today there’s a sparkin Booker that we haven’t seen and I have to remember that for the last month or two she’s been drinking from a fire hose trying to learn that point guard position and I think she’s finally

Starting to feel comfortable things are sifting in out of the frontal lobe into the back part of the brain [Applause] and Booker with 20 points that surprisingly was just her first assist as Jones converted the three-point play great play by Gonzalez fallen out of bounds to find Jones who finishes on the break

Whiting will quiet the Texas crowd as she’ll shoot free throws but how about this hustle for Gonzalez many ways you can influence the game it helps so much when Booker can be a rebounder she gets the ball down the floor and Court awareness by Shaylee Gonzalez she has

Always been really really good at transition she’s usually the one that benefit benefits by scoring this time finding her teammate Jones with a good stint as she will sit down Gonzalez their fourth assist is Whiting to the line 61% from the strike a lot of [Applause] Noise BYU Texas maybe locked out scheduling wise not having to go to Provo that is is always one of the best environments to play in but Texas is quickly finding one of the best environments in the game Booker with the fine more double pump in the

Finish 28 to8 Run for the third ranked Longhorns back the other way quickly for Wilston yeah Wilson needs not pick her dribble up right there back door cut to wide in we’ll find gtin that stops the 1501 regular season finality for Texas in the Big 12 inbound play as Texas has developed

Now a 20o lead this environment is great as we’ve ever taken part of for a women’s game here on L that was a really good third quarter thus far from more seven points hustle and body to the floor Gaston on gtin gtin with the spin finishes with the left Texas has done a

Really good job keeping her quiet she has 11 rebounds that’s beneath her season average she has eight points now 10 beneath her season average of 17 as well well Lauren gtin had 11 rebounds at the half so has not been on the boards here in the second half Pauling for three

Gonzalez throws it up for Gaston collect in [Applause] finishes nice job by Lauren gtin sticking with it right there Gaston rebounds her four [Applause] Moore gets the friendly roll and she is limping after that play she has taken a couple of hits on the [Applause] inside

Vu trying to find something Gustin go to the right this time and does get it I like the composure that Gustin has on in interor and BYU despite the score right now have been patient offensively team high now 12 points for Gustin to go with her 12 rebounds that

12th rebound put her into fourth on the career NCAA rebound list Booker muhamad with the follow you mean a mamed she is so athletic BYU can try to close out the quarter the one that has been all Texas gtin laces one in it has been intense and physical out here and Texas

Set the tone early I think with their defense but I have to tell you BYU struggled to score but they have matched the intensity of this game BYU needs some people to get involved offensively gtin had 10 points in that third quarter her teammates had no

Points Augustin now with 14 and 12 but Texas has not let anyone else do much Gonzalez still looking for her first points 0 of seven Jones turns to the shoulder but can’t get it Dustin snags it’s got to be we’re getting I think close to, 1500 career rebounds [Applause]

Was 12 away coming into this for fourth on the alltime list already the program career alltime leader shoulder will earn some free thr interesting to see is Wilston actually will be going on uh taking a mission uh leave so she’ll be gone for the next two

Years from this team will come back for her Junior and senior season but or the next seasons the next three seasons I guess I can count I really can it’s uh rare on the women’s side that uh the women’s players take those 2-year Mission opportunities but uh certainly Wilston is excited about

It and BYU will have to figure out how to fill her shoes Jones Texas has a Salo of inside players 18 paint points in the third quarter add a couple more here in the fourth quarter but he has so many different choices on who he can play at the four and five

Position Jones is one of them but he has to figure out how he’s going to split that time up is that a gift in a curse sometimes absolutely because you don’t have continuity you know I think it’s just a it’s just a choice you get uh you have an opportunity to play whoever’s

Playing best to match up differently you can put Mohammad out there when you need somebody to defend a more agile player [Applause] just match ups good find inside Calbert doing the work plenty to play for for this Texas team number three in the rankings four in the net the metrics

Love Texas shown you the projections from our bracketologist Charlie cream is another for Jones down deep in the post the Pack 12 as we see Lauren Gustin take it inside with that left-handed hook she’s so good at cannot believe that the Pack 12 will is dismantling next year

Conference reignment you heard from Jaye Gonzalez she said I never thought in a million years that I would be playing BYU my former School especially as a Big 12 Conference opponent at a Pack 12 that will now be a pack two Jones with the left Jones this is

What fourth opportunity for an n one for Jones yeah and again Texas working extremely hard continue to post hard this is something I like to see from Taylor Jones don’t give up that position you got good low position but you talk about conference realignment to continue

That how exciting is it going to be for BYU and Utah to be in the Big 12 together and to rekindle that rivalry I was part of that rivalry and it’s aren’t we blessed to be able to sit court side and do this job I love the game of poops as you do

And it was 10 years ago that Pat Lowry who I have to start with by saying thank you to her so many of us in these chairs because of her giving an opportunity she said hey do you want to do sideline for a basketball game I said sure never done

Sideline before and my my story with that I pitched the story of doing a hit from the student section student section was rocking I did my hit I was super excited and then I was supposed to interview Rick Barnes on the walk-off I was in the wrong position and I missed

Interview so got to start with Pat thank you to Pat Stephanie droy Dave Brown those are two names that help launch this network and go into a landscape James Davidson Heather Wilson Steve white people feature-wise as there’s action going on here but these people their names haven’t been said and the

Things that you have seen over these years they have helped contribute Jessica Maddox Michael Holmes Brook Miller our directors Brad Sheldon who’s in the chair tonight Chris graphics and bugs Eric Weiss Don Davis April Smith Sherry erens in audio Andy Benz who makes us sound good he’s in there

Tonight State College Steve Texas looks as if they will cement themselves if they can wrap this up on that two- seed line for the Big 12 tournament starting next week on Thursday well you know while you were thanking everyone I think what we saw on

The floor was more of the same I was asking you about a Texas report card if you were to evaluate this team we know the good we’ve talked about the defense we’ve talked about the versatility we’ve seen Madison Booker what she brings what’s the biggest question mark for Texas and their potential tournament

Success I think guard depth could come in to play for Texas with three guards that they play primarily Shay Gonzalez Shay Holly and Madison Booker uh he has they have to play on the floor they have to see a lot of playing time for Texas over the course of the the Big 12

Tournament and the NCAA tournament and I also think Texas has some Kryptonite they struggle against certain styles of teams Styles like Oklahoma Wide Open Floor read and react teams teams that like to push those are my two things for Texas obviously through the Big 12 tournament and then onto the NCA

Tournament what is the potential they are one in four I believe in one possession games this season and being able to close out a game is so critical uh during the NCAA tournament of people when they saw Rory hman go down was oh well you know Texas is going to miss a

Season here opportunity wise they did not credit to this group credit to the coaching staff as Texas went on a major run the Longhorns now sitting at 26 and4 but the loss to Baylor then the two losses against Oklahoma and the loss against Kansas State Texas plenty of

Pieces and now with the calendar turned to March and after this Texas will play in must-win game but then here in the second half it’s been all about the post and I think Madison Booker is fine with that she just wants her team to play well and to win that’s what was needed

The last piece senior Knight Gonzalez gets one from Three Jaye Gonzalez on a one for eight night she can remember that corner three just keep shooting that’s what you do as a scorer and you know shayley Gonzalez has contributed so much other than her scoring here today but the roof bout came off when she hit that

One she she didn’t know that she had been taken out I’m sure that is a bittersweet a thing to look at if you’re a BYU fan BYU loved having Shaye Gonzalez as part of the program really wanted her to continue to stay she chose to come here and play at

Texas 155 or 56 game games Tex teami out as well hug from coach sha and kadisha fi started her career at Texas Tech came in and just killed Texas on the board in a win that Texas Tech here had had here at uh in dick schaer’s

Second year and he said when she was in the transfer portal I needed to go after her we needed a rebounder like that ended up coming likes rebounders oh he does he does he likes players that can play his brand of basketball which is physicality down low and fighting for

The ball as Madison Booker she she’s not a senior but she will sit down Shay Holly will as well as Texas can celebrate Andrew if I would have told you after gory Harmon goes down that’s obviously a big part of the narrative for Texas that they would go

14 and four in Big 12 Play would youve expected it no I would not have expected I wouldn’t expected this team to fold because Vic Schaefer would have drug them along and he has at times drug this team along to have the intensity uh that they need to compete at this level but

Again you look at Booker and what she’s been able to do and the absence of Rory Harmon and just how this team has really come together here I think this is the most complete game I’ve seen Texas play all year it’s a good way to close out the

Regular season and before this game is over I just have to commend BYU they came in here and made this exciting today and the score wasn’t close uh after the first half really but Amber Whiting did a heck of a job with their team to compete I love what she said to

Us too we asked her about goals for this season how she she wanted to close out she said well we were picked to finish 11th right now they’re in a tie for n so the barometer coming into a new conference with the young team with freshman was can we do better than the

Expectations and have to say that they hit their Mark so Texas will set their sights on the postseason it starts with the trip to Kansas city that begins next Thursday the tournament in an expanded format Texas will get the double Buy Longhorns now locked into the two seed in the Big

12 tournament and they were locked in to the game today locked into the game plan