Missouri State Lady Bears Face Top-Ranked Texas Longhorns in NCAA Tournament Showdown

AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — The seed Missouri State Lady Bears face a monumental challenge Friday when they meet the top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament.

The game, scheduled for March 20, 2026, at the Moody Center, pits a surging mid-major against a national title favorite. Missouri State (23-12) enters on a four-game winning streak, including an 85-75 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday. Texas (31-3), the regular-season champion of a power conference, has won 10 of its last 11, capped by a dominant 78-61 road win at then-South Carolina on March 8.

The Lady Bears will rely on guard Maiesha Washington, who scored 18 points and dished four assists in the win over Stephen F. Austin. Over her last 10 games, Washington has averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists, including a near triple-double of 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a win at Middle Tennessee on March 12.

They face a Texas lineup brimming with talent, led by forward Justice Carlton. In the win at South Carolina, Carlton posted 15 points, four assists and two blocks. She has scored in double figures in three of her last six contests, providing a versatile interior presence for the Longhorns.

Missouri State’s recent success has been built on defense, holding opponents under 40 points three times during its current streak. However, Texas presents a far greater offensive threat, averaging 77.5 points per game and winning by an average margin of 22.5 points at home this season.

The Longhorns’ three losses this season came by a combined 15 points, with their last defeat an 86-70 setback at Vanderbilt on Feb. 12. Missouri State seeks its first win over a seed since 1992.

Friday’s winner will advance to face the winner of the game between seed Arizona and seed Syracuse on Sunday.