Longhorns Rout Missouri State in NCAA Tournament Opener

No. 1 seed Texas cruises to 87-45 win, advances to second round

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The top-seeded Texas Longhorns women's basketball team opened the NCAA Tournament with a dominant 87-45 victory over Missouri State. Jordan Lee scored 19 points and All-American Madison Booker recorded a double-double as Texas built a 32-point halftime lead and cruised to the easy win. The Longhorns, who reached the Final Four last season, will face Oregon in the second round on Sunday.

Why it matters

Texas is a perennial women's basketball powerhouse, having won a national championship in 1986 and reaching the Final Four last season. The Longhorns are aiming to make another deep tournament run this year and potentially win their first national title since the 1980s.

The details

Texas overwhelmed Missouri State early with its size and speed, jumping out to a 19-4 lead after the first quarter and a 44-12 advantage at halftime. The Longhorns' 6-foot-6 center Kyla Oldacre scored 15 points, while the quickness of guards Jordan Lee, Rori Harmon and Bryanna Preston created open lanes to the basket. Missouri State struggled mightily, making just four field goals in the first half.

  • Texas opened the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Longhorns built a 32-point lead by halftime.

The players

Jordan Lee

A key player for the Texas Longhorns, scoring 19 points in the tournament opener.

Madison Booker

An All-American for Texas who recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Kyla Oldacre

The 6-foot-6 center for Texas who scored 15 points and was a dominant presence in the paint.

Rori Harmon

A quick and talented guard for the Longhorns who helped create open looks on offense.

Kaemyn Bekemeier

The leading scorer for Missouri State with 14 points in the loss.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The environment was amazing. We might have been a little intimidated at the beginning.”

— Kaemyn Bekemeier

“We're just knocking off some rust. I'm sure we'll regroup. I anticipate we'll play a lot better.”

— Rori Harmon, Texas Guard

What’s next

If Texas wins its second-round matchup against Oregon on Sunday, the Longhorns would advance to the Sweet 16, which will be held in nearby Fort Worth.

The takeaway

Texas showed why it is a top contender for the national championship, dominating an overmatched Missouri State team with its size, speed, and depth. The Longhorns are aiming to win their first NCAA title since 1986 and reach their second straight Final Four.