No. 4 Texas Women's Basketball Bounces Back with Gritty Win Over No. 22 Tennessee

Longhorns score 65-63 victory after tough loss to Vanderbilt earlier in the week

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The No. 4 Texas Longhorns women's basketball team bounced back from a tough loss to No. 5 Vanderbilt earlier in the week with a gritty 65-63 win over No. 22 Tennessee on Sunday. The Longhorns were led by strong performances from Madison Booker, Jordan Lee, and Rori Harmon, and they were able to hold off the Lady Volunteers in a close game that came down to the final seconds.

Why it matters

This win was an important bounce-back for the Longhorns after their loss to Vanderbilt, which drew strong criticism from head coach Vic Schaefer. The ability to regroup and earn a tough road victory against a ranked opponent shows the resilience and toughness of this Texas team as they continue their push towards the postseason.

The details

Texas jumped out to an early 24-16 lead after the first quarter, but Tennessee was able to tie the game 34-34 at halftime. The Longhorns then took a 50-47 lead in the third quarter by going 8-for-9 from the free throw line. They were able to hold on for the 65-63 victory, with point guard Bryanna Preston making a key steal in the final seconds to prevent Tennessee from attempting a game-tying shot. Texas shot 17-for-23 from the free throw line, while forcing 23 Tennessee turnovers and outscoring the Lady Vols 40-30 in the paint.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • Texas lost to Vanderbilt 86-70 on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Vic Schaefer

Head coach of the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team.

Madison Booker

Texas forward who led the team with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and added 4 assists.

Jordan Lee

Texas guard who scored 12 points for the Longhorns.

Rori Harmon

Texas guard who also scored 12 points for the Longhorns.

Bryanna Preston

Texas point guard who made a key steal in the final seconds to preserve the win.

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What they’re saying

“I'm proud of our kids. They were Texas tough today. This is a tough place to play, a tough place to win, and to have it end the way it did on the defensive end with a great stop, that's toughness.”

— Vic Schaefer, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns (kxan.com)

“Booker was really good — really vocal, especially Friday. Jordan is always that voice defensively on the floor, and Rori as well. I don't think any of us, including myself, like some of the things we felt, but at the end of the day, you have to fix it. You have to be accountable. They came out and played great today.”

— Vic Schaefer, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns (kxan.com)

What’s next

Texas will play its third consecutive road game on Thursday, February 20, 2026 in Fayetteville against Arkansas. The Longhorns will then return home to face Mississippi State on February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

This win shows the resilience and toughness of the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team as they bounce back from a tough loss earlier in the week. Their ability to grind out a close victory on the road against a ranked opponent demonstrates the team's character and their commitment to playing tough, disciplined basketball.