Texas basketball vs. Drexel score, highlights: Longhorns smoke Dragons to advance

Texas women's basketball kicks off the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a classic No. 1 vs. No. 16 matchup against Drexel. This will be the first meeting ever between the two things and Texas is riding a hot streak after winning the Big 12 Tournament over Iowa State.

It is March Madness, however. Unlikely as it is, a 16th seed upsetting a top seed is not unheard of in the annals of the tournament (though it's only happened once). Led by coach Vic Schaefer and the Big 12 co-player of the year and second-team AP All-American Madison Booker, the Texas win set them up against No. 8 Alabama or No. 9 Florida State, who will meet at Moody Center at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. 

These were our live updates from the game.

Texas vs Drexel live score updates in NCAA first round

Texas wins 82-42, advances to next round of March Madness

It wasn't much of a contest as Texas' talent was too much for the Dragons. Texas' defense held them way below their season point average of 57.5 while the Longhorns advance to the second round of March Madness. Gonzalez led the game with 21 points and four Texas players scored in double digits.

— Caleb Yum

Q4: On to the next

Texas has pulled all of their starters besides Holle. They hold an 81-39 lead and the only question is who Texas' next opponent will be. No. 9 Florida State will face off with No. 8 Alabama after this, with the Longhorns taking on the winner.

— Caleb Yum

End of Q3: 74-32 Texas

This one's pretty close to over. Shaylee Gonzalez took over in the third, hitting all six of her shots and three 3-pointers. She has 18 points, tied with Jones for the team lead. Booker is creeping toward Texas' assist record in a single game of 17, with 14 so far. Who knows if she'll stay in the game long enough to go for the record, however. A 42 point come back would be unprecedented.

— Caleb Yum

Q3: There goes Texas

Longhorns putting it in high gear in the third quarter. They've allowed just 3 points in the first five minutes and hit seven of their own 11 field goals with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Yeah, it's a clinic.

— Kirk Bohls

Texas has taken a commanding 58-23 lead with 4:52 left in the quarter. Holle is known as one of the better shooters on the team, but her defense has been on point today for the Longhorns. She has multiple deflections and her limbs are everywhere. Booker has 11 assists, meaning she'll need 4 more points and five rebounds for the triple double.

— Caleb Yum

End of the 1st half: 40-20 Texas

Texas starts NCAA Tournament play with a dominant first half, completely taking over in the paint (26-14) and the boards (13-2). Very balanced scoring with no one scoring more than Taylor Jones' 10 points. Texas up 40-20.

— Kirk Bohls

Comfortable lead for the Horns entering halftime. Schaefer isn't quite satisfied with his teams' level of play but the game has mostly been up to expectation. Jones and Gaston lead the team with 10 and nine points respectively, while Booker only has six points on 3 of 9 shooting. However, keep an eye on her for triple double watch, she has seven assists and five rebounds as well.

— Caleb Yum

Q2: Taylor Jones for president...?

A lead that was cut to five at one point has ballooned back up to 17 with 5:26 remaining in the half. Drexel has lost the keys to the offense and Texas has rediscovered their rhythm, finding easy points in - you guessed it - the paint. Jones leads the team with eight points on six shots in only nine minutes of play.

— Caleb Yum

Amina Muhammad with some strong offensive output, hitting a couple of buckets and tossing a great lob for an easy two from Jones. Longhorns on an impressive 12-0 run while the Dragons have missed their last eight shots, most from in close.

— Kirk Bohls

End of Q1

At the end of the first quarter, Texas holds a 19-12 lead. Drexel's offense has found a rhythm after weathering Texas' first flurry of baskets. The Longhorns' lead has come mostly in the paint, where they hold the clear advantage. Booker has yet to start cooking, missing three jump shots after making her first layup.

— Caleb Yum

Texas has controlled the game, but Drexel has broken the Longhorns' press for a few easy baskets to stay in the game at 19-12. Texas has gone cold in its outside shooting but still controls the paint, outrebounding the Dragons by seven. Drexel is 0-3 behind the arc.

— Kirk Bohls

Q1: Texas tournament jitters

After making their first six shots, Texas misses their next three and gives the Dragons a boost in confidence, making the score 13-6. A careless pass by Jones sends the ball out of bounds and has coach Vic Schaefer fuming. The Longhorns have the talent advantage, but there still seems to be some tournament debut jitters.

Gaston enters the game, despite her sickness.

— Caleb Yum

Drexel shows signs of calming down. The Dragons break the Longhorns' press and gets two easy layups in transition to cut their deficit to 13-6. Taylor Jones guilty of a bad turnover when she throws the ball to, well, Drexel coach Amy Mallon, but in fairness she was open.

— Kirk Bohls

Q1: Texas sending a message early

Texas forward DeYona Gaston participated in late layup drills but is under the weather. As much size as the Longhorns have, they shouldn't miss her that much if she can't play because Texas' strength is with five 6-footers and their play in the paint.

Hello, Drexel. You're not in Philadelphia any more. Texas full-court presses and is off to a blazing start at 9-0. The Horns hit their first four shots, have already forced two turnovers and are clearly rattling the Dragons.

— Kirk Bohls

Texas is off to a quick 9-0 start and it's clear that the plan today will be revolving around Taylor Jones in the paint. The team has also begun the game doing full court press, with an Aaliyah Moore steal and a Madison Booker bucket sending Drexel to timeout.

— Caleb Yum

Start time: 2 p.m. CT

What channel is Texas vs. Drexel on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: ESPNU
• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Fubo (free trial)

Texas will tip off vs. Drexel on ESPNU. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV/Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Texas vs. Drexel start time

• Date: March 22
• Time: 2:00 p.m.

Texas and Drexel will play at 2:00 p.m. at the Moody Center.

Texas vs Drexel preview

Texas: The Longhorns are riding high after winning their second Big 12 Tournament in three years. Taylor Jones, DeYona Gaston, Aaliyah Moore are part of the cast that will support Booker in their March Madness run.

Drexel: Drexel is making its third ever appearance at the NCAA Tournament after winning four straight games at the Coastal Athletic Association. Its last win came over Stoney Brook, whom they defeated 68-60.

Texas vs Drexel odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM

• Spread: Texas (-34.5)
• Over/under: 121.5

Texas vs Drexel prediction, game picks

Texas. Harvard is the only No. 16 seed ever to beat a No. 1 in the NCAA women's tournament, and that upset of Stanford happened in 1998. History won't repeat itself in Austin this week.

— Danny Davis

Texas vs Drexel injury updates

TEXAS: Rori Harmon, out with knee injury.

DREXEL: No injuries to report.

Texas vs Drexel stats

TEXAS

• PPG: 81.2
• PPG allowed: 58
• FG% 49.8%
• 3PT%: 36.4%

DREXEL

• PPG: 57.5
• PPG allowed: 55.6
• FG% 40.2%
• 3PT%: 30.6%

Texas basketball schedule 2023-24

Below is the last five games of Texas' 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Drexel basketball schedule 2023-24

Below is the last five games of Drexel's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here