Cedar Park, TX — The No. 6 Texas Longhorns delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 11 UCLA 81-64 at the H-E-B Center behind standout efforts from Madison Booker and Bryanna Preston.
Texas established control early, never surrendered the lead and built a 22-point advantage against the defending national champions. The victory also provided an early measure of revenge for the Longhorns, whose season ended at the hands of UCLA in last year’s NCAA Final Four.
UCLA head coach Cori Close acknowledged that her team struggled to recover after Texas came out aggressively to open both the game and the second half.
The Longhorns’ offensive balance proved difficult for the Bruins to contain. Booker led all scorers with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while Preston added 20 points. Breya Cunningham contributed 16 points and six rebounds, and Zya Vann finished with 12 points and two steals.
Despite a determined UCLA effort, Texas repeatedly answered whenever the Bruins threatened to make the contest competitive.
Texas responds whenever UCLA threatens
UCLA briefly appeared poised to make a run in the third quarter. Elina Aarnisalo connected from beyond the arc with 6:02 remaining in the period, trimming the Longhorns’ advantage to five points after the Bruins had trailed by as many as 11 in the first half.
That proved to be UCLA’s closest approach.
Booker, Preston and Cunningham combined to score 11 of Texas’ 12 consecutive points during a stretch lasting 2 minutes and 56 seconds. The surge pushed the Longhorns’ lead to 17 and restored their control of the game.
Aarnisalo momentarily interrupted the run with a driving layup, but the Bruins never managed to pull within 13 points for the remainder of the afternoon.
Texas continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter. Preston knocked down a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 74-55 with 4:23 left, putting the Longhorns ahead by 19.
Vann then delivered another blow, hitting a shot from long range before converting a fast-break layup. Her contributions helped Texas reach its largest lead of the game at 81-59 with 2:20 remaining.
Aarnisalo led UCLA with 13 points and eight rebounds, but the Bruins could not overcome Texas’ scoring runs and consistent offensive pressure.
Preston makes her case as Texas’ new floor leader
While Booker’s all-around performance highlighted the Longhorns’ victory, Preston’s showing offered an encouraging glimpse of what Texas could receive from its new starting point guard this season.
Preston finished 8-of-12 from the field, including four three-pointers, and recorded three assists in nearly 37 minutes. Her scoring ability and composure helped Texas maintain its momentum whenever UCLA attempted to close the gap.
The junior guard is stepping into a larger role following the departure of Rori Harmon, Texas’ longtime floor general. Harmon recently completed her rookie campaign with the Washington Mystics after being selected No. 34 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She is currently on a developmental contract with Washington.
Preston averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 assists in 14.2 minutes per game during her sophomore season. As a freshman, she averaged four points and two assists in approximately 13 minutes per contest.
With Harmon no longer in the lineup, the Jonesboro, Georgia, native has an opportunity to increase her playing time and demonstrate that she can direct the offense while becoming a more consistent scoring threat.
Booker, a senior forward and three-time first-team All-American, expressed confidence in Preston’s ability to embrace the responsibility.
“Bry’s going to be great for us. I fully expect her to do great [as our starting point guard.] I expect a lot from her,” Booker said. “I fully expect her to take charge of this team. I want her to be the best she can be, I can’t wait for y’all to see what I see from her.”
Booker’s endorsement reflects the confidence Texas has in Preston as she prepares for an expanded role. With the season approaching, Saturday’s performance offered an early indication that the Longhorns could have another reliable offensive option alongside their established star.
Booker continues to set the standard
Booker once again demonstrated why she remains central to Texas’ championship ambitions. The senior forward led every player in scoring while contributing on the glass, creating opportunities for teammates and protecting the rim.
Her 21-point performance, combined with Preston’s 20 points and Cunningham’s 16, gave the Longhorns three players with significant scoring contributions. Vann’s 12 points further underscored Texas’ offensive depth.
For UCLA, the challenge was not simply slowing down one player. The Bruins had to contend with multiple scoring threats, and Texas capitalized whenever defensive attention shifted toward Booker.
Although the game was an exhibition, the matchup carried added significance after UCLA eliminated Texas from last season’s Final Four. The Longhorns responded with an emphatic performance that showcased their depth, scoring ability and potential for the upcoming campaign.
The teams are scheduled to meet again on Dec. 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After Saturday’s result, the rematch will offer another opportunity to measure the progress of two programs with championship aspirations.
If the Longhorns continue to receive this level of production from Booker and Preston, Texas could be well-positioned to make another deep postseason run.
