Booker's Nightmare: Texas Longhorns Fall in Final Four

Texas Longhorn star Madison Booker started hot with a jumper for an early two-point lead

against UCLA in the Women's Final 4 semi-finals, but it turned into a nightmare quick.

She missed her next 17 shots over three-quarters, finishing just three for 23 from the field

with only six points.

The Long Horns fell 51-44 Friday night, ending their season.

Booker rallied late, hitting a couple buckets to pull Texas within three at 47-44 with

under 30 seconds left, but UCLA's 6-foot-7 Lauren Betz blocked her drive and Booker slipped

on a final play, sealing the tough loss.

Coming in, she averaged over 19 points on 52.3 percent shooting.

Booker called it shocking since every miss fell perfect, wishing more dropped for her teammates

too.

UCLA's Gianna Nekins, who played with her on teen USA, praised Booker's talent, but credited

the Bruins defense for pushing her out wide and making shots tough.

The whole Texas offense struggled, shooting under 31 percent with only Kyla Oldacre scoring

in double figures at 11.

Coach Vic Schafer owned the miscues like wrong positions out of time outs, marking his

fourth final four without a title second straight semi's.

Heartbreak for Booker after fouling out early last year versus South Carolina.

Texas wrote a 12-game shriek into this, beating South Carolina by 17 in the SEC title

game, but couldn't sustain it.

Another close call for Schafer chasing that first championship since 1986, leaving the

long horns to regroup for next season.

That wraps El Paso News today, brought to you with AI.