Madison Booker’s all-around game helps No. 4 Texas roll past Alabama 83-60
Madison Booker recorded a double-double and six assists as No. 4 Texas dismantled No. 11 Alabama, 83-60, to reach the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The victory extended Texas’ season mark to 29-3 and set up a semifinal against No. 7 Ole Miss.
Madison Booker delivers a double-double and playmaking
Booker’s balanced contribution — a double-double complemented by six assists — anchored Texas’ offense and helped sustain scoring runs that kept Alabama at arm’s length. Texas sank half its shots from the floor (50 percent) and received 38 points from its bench, a combination that allowed the Longhorns to build a commanding 52-19 lead by halftime. By converting turnovers into points and sharing the ball effectively, Booker and teammates turned early defensive stops into a durable advantage.
Jordan Lee, bench scoring and SEC Tournament control
Jordan Lee paced the Longhorns with 16 points and multiple assists, while Bryanna Preston and Aaliyah Crump supplied timely scoring off the bench — Preston finishing with double-digit points and Crump adding 10 in the win. Texas forced 21 turnovers and scored 13 points off those mistakes in the second quarter, a defensive surge that suppressed Alabama’s offense and left the Crimson Tide trailing 52-19 at the break.
Alabama mounted some resistance in the third quarter, improving its shooting to around 46. 7 percent and trimming the margin, but Texas answered with efficient offense and depth. The Longhorns pushed the lead back out and closed the game with a 23-point margin. The quarterfinal victory in the SEC Tournament moves Texas forward to a Saturday semifinal tip scheduled for 6 p. m. Central.
What makes this notable is how decisively Texas combined defensive pressure with bench production: the Longhorns not only limited Alabama’s opportunities at crucial stretches but also converted turnovers and second-chance plays into a consistent scoring advantage. The broader implication is that Texas’ depth and defensive identity can sustain a large lead against quality conference opponents as the tournament progresses.
Texas’ second-quarter defensive clampdown was particularly impactful, holding Alabama to single-digit scoring in the period and allowing the Longhorns to seize control early. That sequence — stifling opponent shooting while turning steals and miscues into points — illustrates a clear cause-and-effect pattern behind the outcome: sustained defensive disruption produced a sizable halftime cushion, and the Longhorns’ balanced attack prevented a late-game comeback.
With the win, No. 4 Texas (29-3) advances to face No. 7 Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament semifinals. The Longhorns will look to maintain their efficient shooting and turnover creation as they seek to progress further in the bracket.
