In women’s Division I basketball, only three teams remain unbeaten after a surprising weekend. No. 2 Texas fell to No. 12 LSU, losing 70-65. This was a significant win for LSU, marking their first victory over a top-2 team since 2008 when they defeated North Carolina in the NCAA Elite Eight. Before this match, they had lost 17 straight games against such teams.
The current unbeaten teams are No. 1 UConn, No. 7 Vanderbilt, and No. 17 Texas Tech, all of which secured wins over the weekend. It’s noteworthy that Vanderbilt is the only school with both its men’s and women’s teams still unbeaten this season.
LSU started strong with a 14-0 record but faced setbacks, losing their first two games in the SEC. Despite this, they came back in style with recent victories over Georgia and Texas. Mikaylah Williams stood out, scoring 20 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 steals. She credited the team’s discipline and focus for their success, saying, “We knew in those last games that we lost that we beat ourselves.” The team’s win was also marked by strong rebounding, with LSU outrebounding Texas 44-35.
Texas’ performance reflected the pressure they faced. Center Kyla Oldacre contributed significantly with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while forward Madison Booker added 24 points but also contributed to the team’s 17 turnovers—which was a season-high. Texas point guard Rori Harmon struggled throughout the game, finishing with only two points. Coach Vic Schaefer opted to keep her on the bench in the crucial fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, Texas will face another tough challenge against No. 3 South Carolina, while LSU will travel to No. 5 Oklahoma next Sunday. The two teams will meet again on February 5 in Austin, Texas.
Historically, upsets like this remind us of the unpredictable nature of sports. In the past, teams often bounce back from losses with renewed focus, much like LSU’s recent turnaround. It’s a great testament to the resilience within sports culture. As fans, we can see how quickly things can change in the standings.
For more insights on women’s basketball and statistics, visit the NCAA’s official site for detailed reports and analysis.
