BREAKING NEWS: The No. 5 women’s basketball team defeats Texas Tech to end conference play.

No. 5 Texas women’s basketball upset Texas Tech 77-72 in what would be their final meeting, in a close game that head coach Vic Schaefer referred to as a “lucky win.”

Schaefer remarked, “We’re fortunate to have won the game.” “I hope my kids take something away from it.”

Texas took the lead early in the first quarter, scoring seven goals in a row behind senior forward Taylor Jones and graduate guard Shaylee Gonzales. Texas Tech took its first lead at 15–14 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Longhorns regained the lead thanks to two baskets from rookie forward Madison Booker, but Texas Tech sophomore guard Bailey Maupin cut the deficit to one point at the start of the second quarter.

Although the second and third quarters were equally tight, Texas was able to hold a lead until Kelly Mora, a freshman forward for Texas Tech, made a three-point shot with 35 seconds remaining. Texas was behind the third quarter by one point with five seconds remaining. Shay Holle, the senior guard, had trouble scoring throughout the game but scored her first points of the evening at a critical juncture. Holle gave her team a two-point lead heading into the final minutes of the quarter with a three-point shot.

Texas Tech put up a fight against the Longhorns, and Maupin and sophomore guard Jasmine Shavers were crucial players in the Red Raider team’s last-gasp comeback. With 390 and 367 points respectively, Shavers and Maupin lead Tech in scoring for the season. Shavers led the squad in scoring with 27 points, and she also happened to shoot 2-2 from the free throw line in the closing seconds of the game to give her team one more chance.

Schaefer remarked, “It was really disheartening that we couldn’t defend.” “It’s clear that we weren’t prepared to play and performed poorly. I’ll perform better.

Texas’ Booker went two for two on the opposite end of the court shortly after Shavers stepped to the line, extending the Longhorn advantage. Booker made ten of ten shots from the line, showing excellent form.

Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich stated, “I hope that maybe somehow we can just continue to have (these rivalry games).” “It must take place in all Texas schools. There is a wealth of incredible history, particularly in women’s basketball. If you will, the last game was enjoyable.

Before playing its final Big 12 home game and senior night against BYU on March 2, Texas will travel to Orlando and Norman for its final two away games against UCF and Oklahoma on Saturday and February 28, respectively.