Texas (AP) — Justice Carlton delivered when it mattered most, scoring 17 points and knocking down a pivotal late 3-pointer as No. 4 Texas survived a tense second half to defeat No. 18 Kentucky 64-53 on Monday night at the Moody Center.
The victory marked Texas’ 40th consecutive home win — the longest active streak in the nation — and improved the Longhorns to 23-2 overall and 8-2 in SEC play. Texas also continued its dominance against elite competition, improving to an eye-catching 9-2 record against AP Top 25 opponents this season.
But despite the final score, this was anything but comfortable.
After controlling much of the first half and building what appeared to be a safe cushion early in the third quarter, Texas saw its offense grind to a halt, allowing Kentucky to claw back into the game and briefly threaten to spoil the night in Austin.
“We knew Kentucky wasn’t going to quit,” Texas head coach said afterward. “They’re tough, they’re disciplined, and they made us earn every possession.”
STRONG START, SUDDEN STRUGGLES
Texas opened the game with confidence and poise, feeding off the energy of a packed home crowd. Carlton set the tone early with aggressive drives and smooth perimeter shooting, while the Longhorns’ defense disrupted Kentucky’s offensive rhythm.
By the midpoint of the third quarter, Texas had stretched its lead to 14 points, seemingly in full control. Kentucky struggled to find clean looks, and the Longhorns appeared poised to cruise to another home victory.
Then everything changed.
Texas went cold offensively, missing shot after shot and failing to capitalize on defensive stops. Kentucky, meanwhile, found its footing behind improved ball movement and timely scoring.
A basket by Clara Strack with 6:23 remaining capped a stunning rally, cutting Texas’ lead to just one point and sending a jolt of tension through the arena.
CARLTON ANSWERS THE CALL
With momentum slipping and the game suddenly in doubt, Texas leaned on its leader.
Carlton calmly stepped into a crucial 3-pointer with 3:54 remaining, immediately swinging momentum back to the Longhorns. Moments earlier, Kyla Oldacre had knocked down four straight free throws, and Madison Booker battled for a key rebound off a missed Kentucky 3-point attempt by Jordan Lee.
Those plays ignited a decisive 8-0 Texas run that pushed the lead back to six and reestablished control.
“Justice wasn’t forcing anything,” one teammate said. “She stayed locked in, trusted her work, and made the biggest shot of the night.”
LOCKDOWN FINISH
Kentucky tried to respond but struggled against Texas’ tightening defense. The Longhorns closed the game with composure, making six consecutive free throws in the final 1:25 to seal the win.
Jordan Lee finished with 13 points, joining Carlton as the only Texas players in double figures. While the offense never fully regained its early rhythm, Texas’ defense and late-game execution proved enough.
Kentucky fell to 18-7 overall and 5-6 in conference play but earned respect for its resilience and ability to challenge one of the nation’s top teams on the road.
A TEST THAT BUILDS CHAMPIONS
For Texas, the game served as both a warning and a confidence booster. The Longhorns showed they can build big leads — but also that they must stay sharp for all four quarters. At the same time, they proved they can withstand adversity, respond under pressure, and close out tough games against ranked opponents.
“This was about toughness,” the coach said. “We didn’t have our best offensive night, but we defended, rebounded, and made winning plays when it mattered.”
With postseason play looming, games like this could prove invaluable.
Texas may not have dominated wire to wire, but on a night when things got uncomfortable, Justice Carlton and the Longhorns showed exactly why they remain among the nation’s elite — especially at home, where no one has been able to break their streak.
And after 40 straight wins in Austin, that fortress looks stronger than ever. 💪🏀
