Madison Booker explodes for 40 points as No. 1 Texas demolishes Oregon in NCAA Tournament
Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) handles the ball Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Moody Center witnessed something special on Sunday as Madison Booker put on a masterclass performance that left even her veteran teammates in awe. Texas point guard Rori Harmon, who has been with the program for five years, sensed the magic before it happened.
« I saw something coming today, » Harmon said. « I knew something special was going to happen. »
What followed was a historic night that saw Booker not only achieve a career-high in scoring but also etch her name in Texas basketball lore with the program’s highest-scoring NCAA tournament performance.
A generational talent on full display
Booker’s 40-point explosion came on an efficient 14-of-21 shooting performance, including an impressive 8-of-14 from midrange. The stellar outing also featured eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and zero turnovers in what coach Vic Schaefer called a display of generational talent.
« She’s a generational talent, » Schaefer said. « They just don’t come around that often. »
According to ESPN Research, Booker joined elite company as only the fourth player in NCAA tournament history to score 40 points while recording at least five rebounds and five assists. She joins Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Stanford’s Candice Wiggins, and Long Beach State’s Cindy Brown in achieving this rare feat.
The performance highlighted Booker’s unselfish nature, something Schaefer has been working to balance with her scoring ability. « She enjoys the pass as much as the bucket, » Schaefer explained. « I’ve had to tell her, ‘Hey, you turned down a 12-footer to get [a teammate] an 18-footer. Don’t do that.' »
Defensive dominance fuels championship aspirations
While Booker commanded attention offensively, Texas showcased its championship potential with suffocating defense. The Longhorns held Oregon to just eight points in the third quarter, with Harmon leading the defensive charge with five steals. The 42-point victory marked Oregon’s worst NCAA tournament loss in program history.
The dominant performance extended Texas’ home winning streak to 44 games, setting a new program record. Harmon and Booker combined to score or assist on 64 of Texas’ 100 points, accounting for more offense than Oregon managed as a team.
« This team is really, really cerebral offensively, » Schaefer noted. « They understand spacing, they understand where each other’s at, and they understand where Madison needs the ball. »
With their third straight Sweet 16 appearance secured, the Longhorns await the winner of Monday’s Kentucky-West Virginia matchup as they chase their first NCAA title in 40 years. If performances like Sunday’s continue, Schaefer believes his team has what it takes to make that dream a reality.
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