PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Jordan King scored 17 of her 25 points after halftime while Marquette held third-ranked Texas to 31% shooting to beat the Longhorns 68-61 in Saturday’s first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The Golden Eagles (4-0) led this one by 13 in the third quarter, then held on when the Longhorns (1-2) made a push back in the game. Texas twice managed to get within a single point, only to see the 5-foot-11 King respond each time to keep her team in control.
She opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer and a layup after the Longhorns had gotten to within 42-41, then came through with a jumper and a pair of free throws when the Longhorns climbed again to within a single point at 47-46.
She also made 6 of 7 free throws after halftime, including four in the final two minutes as Texas repeatedly tried to take the lead.
In a photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Texas’ Amina Muhammad shoots against Marquette during an NCAA college basketball game at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) 
In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Marquette head coach Megan Duffy looks on during an NCAA college basketball game against Texas in the Battle 4 Atlantis, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) 
In a photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Texas coach Vic Schaefer watches the team during an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) 
In a photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Texas’ Aaliyah Moore (23) tries to get possession of the ball next to Marquette’s Nia Clark during an NCAA college basketball game at the Battle 4 Atlantis on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) 
In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Marquette’s Liza Karlen (32) goes up against Texas’ Taylor Jones (44) during an NCAA college basketball game in the Battle 4 Atlantis, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)
Sonya Morris scored 13 points to lead Texas, which again played without star Rori Harmon due to an injury that has left her with a day-to-day status.
Marquette’s Liza Karlen snagged the final rebound and held the ball as the clock expired, then hugged teammates on the court as the players on the bench ran out to midcourt to join them. Moments later, several members of the Golden Eagles had made their way into the stands to hug and celebrate with fans, family and friends who made the trip to the Atlantis resort.
Soon, as coach Megan Duffy joined her team coming off the court and headed to the locker room, she ran into Louisville coach Jeff Walz — whose sixth-ranked Cardinals were waiting to take the court for the next game — and shared a congratulatory handshake.
