A Lopsided Home Debut
South Dakota State traveled to Austin on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, hoping to upset the Texas Longhorns in their season opener. Instead, the Jackrabbits found themselves trailing early and never recovered as Texas secured a decisive 93-63 victory at Moody Center. The loss drops South Dakota State to 1-2 on the young season, while the host Longhorns improve to an undefeated 3-0 record.
First Quarter Dominance
The tone was set immediately in the opening period. Texas jumped out to a quick lead, with Bryanna Preston contributing two assists in the early scoring flurry. Zya Vann and Madison Booker also added points for the Longhorns, who built a 26-15 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
South Dakota State managed some offensive rhythm through Katie Vasecka’s three-point shooting and layups from Brooklyn Meyer, but they could not match the pace of their hosts.
The Second Half Breakaway
Texas extended its lead in the second quarter, pushing the margin to 39-29 at halftime. Jayda Clark continued to be a primary offensive threat for Austin, adding crucial points in the half. When the third quarter began, the Longhorns did not let up.
Jayda Clark hit multiple shots from deep and inside, while Breya Cunningham controlled the glass with six total rebounds. The Jackrabbits attempted to chip away at the deficit, with Claire Sheppard scoring 12 points for South Dakota State, but Texas maintained a commanding presence throughout the period.
