AUSTIN, Texas — Madison Booker put on a clinic Sunday afternoon, dismantling the Oregon Ducks with a career-high 40 points to lead the No. 1-seeded Texas Longhorns to a commanding 100-58 victory in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.
The win, played before a raucous crowd at the Moody Center in Austin, propelled Texas into the Sweet 16 for the third straight year, setting up a regional matchup in nearby Fort Worth. Booker's dominance was total: she shot 14 of 21 from the field, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists, swiped two steals and committed zero turnovers. She opened the game on fire, pouring in 14 points in the first quarter alone, and never let up, mixing layups, her signature mid-range jumpers and even step-back threes with effortless precision.
Oregon, seeded eighth in the Austin regional, had no answer for the 6-foot-1 forward, who has emerged as one of the premier talents in women's college basketball. Booker's performance shattered the Texas school record for points in an NCAA Tournament game, eclipsing the previous mark of 32 shared by Clarissa Davis in 1986 and Heather Schreiber in 2003. Those earlier record-setting efforts carried historical weight: Davis's outburst helped Texas claim the national championship that year, while Schreiber's propelled the Longhorns to the Final Four.
While Booker's 40 fell short of the all-time NCAA Tournament single-game record of 50, set by Drake's Lorri Bauman in 1982, it underscored her potential to etch her name deeper into the record books. With at least one more game guaranteed in the tournament—potentially up to four if Texas advances all the way—opponents will be bracing for more. The Longhorns, under coach Vic Schaefer, are chasing their first national title in 40 years, a drought that dates back to that 1986 triumph.
"She's a generational talent," Schaefer said after the game, his voice carrying the mix of awe and pride that has defined his tenure at Texas. Schaefer, who took over the program in 2020 after stints at Mississippi State and Northwestern State, has built Texas into a powerhouse, winning the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament titles this year. Booker's emergence has been central to that success, but her coach noted a key evolution in her game during this postseason run.
"I want her to hunt to go get a bucket," Schaefer added, explaining how he often urges his star to shoot rather than defer. Booker entered the tournament averaging 18.9 points per game, but her aggression has ticked up. Just weeks earlier, in the SEC tournament final against Mississippi—a 69-39 Texas rout—she had dropped 31 points, her prior career best.
Booker herself credited Schaefer's coaching for her offensive assertiveness. "Coach Schaefer has pushed me into taking a big role, being aggressive on the offensive end," she said in a postgame interview. The junior forward, a three-time All-American, has been a cornerstone since arriving on campus. As a freshman, she led Texas to the Elite Eight. Last season, she guided the team to the Final Four, falling just short of the championship game.
Teammates marveled at her display against Oregon. Senior guard Rori Harmon, who has shared the court with Booker for three seasons, called it unprecedented. "I've never seen that. I'd like to see it again," Harmon said with a laugh. "I saw the look in her eyes when she came in. I saw something special coming today." Harmon's observation highlighted Booker's mindset: focused, unyielding and ready to carry the load when it mattered most.
The game itself was never in doubt after Booker's early surge. Texas, which finished the regular season 28-5, jumped to a 28-12 lead after the first quarter and methodically pulled away. Oregon, coming off a first-round win over Alabama State, struggled with turnovers and poor shooting, managing just 34% from the field. Texas's depth shone through, with contributions from across the roster, but it was Booker's show—her stat line a testament to her all-around impact.
To understand Booker's rise, one must look back at her recruitment and early days at Texas. A McDonald's All-American out of high school in Texas, she chose the Longhorns over blue-blood programs like UConn and South Carolina. Her decision paid off quickly, as she adapted to the college level with poise beyond her years. Schaefer's system, which emphasizes defense and transition play, has allowed Booker to thrive, but her scoring touch has always been the separator.
This tournament run comes at a pivotal time for women's basketball, which has seen record viewership and attendance in recent years, buoyed by stars like Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Angel Reese of LSU. Texas, however, has quietly built its own contender without the national spotlight on a single player. Booker's unselfish nature—Schaefer often has to remind her not to pass up shots—has fostered team chemistry, but in March, that balance tips toward individual brilliance.
Oregon coach Kelly Graves acknowledged the mismatch postgame, praising Booker's versatility. "She did whatever she wanted," Graves said, according to reports from the sidelines. The Ducks, who entered the tournament 22-10, bowed out earlier than hoped, but the experience against Texas will serve as a learning tool for a young roster.
As Texas advances, the Sweet 16 matchup in Fort Worth—part of the Dallas regional—presents new challenges. The Longhorns will face the winner of the Gonzaga-Utah game, both teams known for gritty, physical styles. Fort Worth's Dickies Arena, just a short drive from Austin, offers a home-state advantage, with Texas fans expected to pack the venue.
Booker's tournament heroics also draw parallels to Texas's storied past. The 1986 championship team, led by Davis, remains a touchstone for the program. That squad went 31-5, blending scoring punch with tenacious defense—much like this year's group. If Booker can sustain her form, Texas could mirror that run, ending a championship famine that has frustrated Longhorns supporters.
Looking ahead, the broader implications for Texas are clear: a deep tournament run could solidify Schaefer's legacy and position Booker as a top WNBA draft pick. Scouts have long eyed her pro potential, with her combination of size, skill and basketball IQ drawing comparisons to elite forwards. But for now, the focus remains on the next game, where Booker's fire could light the path to Spokane for the Final Four.
In a sport where margins are razor-thin, Sunday's rout served as a statement. Texas is not just in the hunt—it's leading the charge, with Madison Booker as the unrelenting engine.