Texas Longhorns at Mississippi State Bulldogs

Shay Holle's big second half helps top-ranked Texas outlast Mississippi State 68-64

Schaefer's team won its 12th straight game, this one against the team he coached from 2012-20 — but the Bulldogs didn't make it easy.

Holle matched her career high of four 3-pointers as Texas (28-2, 14-1 Southeastern Conference) pulled in front by 10 points in the fourth quarter after trailing by one at halftime.

Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda had a season-best 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Madison Booker scored 12, and Rori Harmon had 10 points and seven assists.

Jerkaila Jordan scored 14 points for Mississippi State (19-10, 6-9) and Madina Okot had 11.

The Longhorns led 66-56 on Booker's layup with 2:10 remaining. Jordan's 3-pointer with 1:37 left got Mississippi State within five, but she missed a 3 that would have made it a two-point game, and Texas closed it out at the foul line.

Takeaways Mississippi State: Mississippi State fans applauded Schaefer, who took the Bulldogs to NCAA championship games in 2017 and ’18. Then coach Sam Purcell's team contained Texas’ usually effective interior offense with a sagging zone. Centers Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre combined for 10 points.

Texas: The Longhorns have their best record since 1987-88, when they were 32-2 before losing to Louisiana Tech in the Elite Eight.

Key moment Harmon made a 3-pointer from midcourt at the end of the third quarter, giving Texas a 49-48 lead it did not relinquish.

Key stat The Longhorns average fewer than three 3-pointers a game against SEC competition. They made seven on Thursday.

Up next Texas hosts Florida on Sunday, when Mississippi State is at Auburn.

How can I watch Longhorns vs. Bulldogs?

• TV Channel: Longhorns vs Bulldogs 2021 College Basketball, week 17, is broadcasted on SECN+.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: Starkville, MS
Attendance: 5,263 | Capacity: