No. 4 Texas Holds Off No. 22 Tennessee 65-63

Booker, Lee, and Harmon lead the Longhorns to victory over the Lady Volunteers

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Madison Booker scored 14 points while Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon each added 12 as No. 4 Texas held off No. 22 Tennessee, 65-63, on Sunday. The Longhorns led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter before the Lady Volunteers closed the gap to one, but Booker's late free throws and a defensive stop sealed the win for Texas.

Why it matters

This was an important SEC matchup between two ranked women's college basketball teams. The win keeps Texas in contention for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while Tennessee's loss is a setback in their pursuit of a top-25 ranking.

The details

Texas led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter after an 18-2 run, but Tennessee closed the half on a 10-0 run to tie it 34-34 at the break. The Longhorns rebuilt their lead in the second half, going up 10 in the fourth quarter, before the Lady Vols made a late charge led by Talaysia Cooper's 29 points. But Texas held on, with Booker hitting two free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • Texas led by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter.

The players

Madison Booker

A Texas player who scored 14 points, including two crucial free throws late in the game to help the Longhorns hold on for the win.

Jordan Lee

A Texas player who scored 12 points to contribute to the Longhorns' victory.

Rori Harmon

A Texas player who scored 12 points to help the Longhorns defeat the Lady Volunteers.

Talaysia Cooper

A Tennessee player who led all scorers with 29 points, including a late 3-pointer and layup that cut the Longhorns' lead to one point.

Janiah Barker

A Tennessee player who scored 12 points in the losing effort against Texas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have no heart. We're not tough. It's probably the softest team I've had in years.”

— Vic Schaefer, Texas Head Coach (nbcsports.com)

“I have a team that'll just quit on you. There's a lack of leadership.”

— Kim Caldwell, Tennessee Head Coach (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

Texas will travel to Arkansas on Thursday, while Tennessee will play at Ole Miss on Tuesday in a game that was previously postponed.

The takeaway

This close SEC matchup between two ranked teams showcased the competitiveness of women's college basketball, with Texas narrowly holding on for the victory despite a late surge from Tennessee. The game also highlighted the challenges facing the coaches of both programs, who have publicly criticized their teams' lack of toughness and leadership in recent weeks.