If you walked into the Moody Center this weekend expecting the usual home-court dominance, you probably left feeling a little dizzy. Texas sports are hitting a fever pitch right now. Between the football team wrapping up a wild postseason and the basketball programs diving head-first into the SEC meat grinder, there is a lot to keep track of.
Honestly, the "Lone Star Showdown" hasn't felt this alive in years.
Who Won the Texas Longhorn Game Today?
The short answer depends on which Longhorns team you’re following, but the biggest headline from this Sunday, January 18, 2026, involves the No. 4 Texas Women's Basketball team. They took the court at 3:00 PM CT against Texas A&M in a high-stakes edition of the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown.
Coming into today, the Horns were riding a massive 36-game winning streak at home. Think about that. Thirty-six games without a loss in Austin. Coach Vic Schaefer has turned the Moody Center into a literal fortress.
But this wasn't just another game. The Aggies (8-5) arrived hungry to play spoiler, while Texas (18-2) was looking to bounce back after a tough road loss to South Carolina earlier in the week. All eyes were on Rori Harmon. She entered the game just nine steals away from breaking Linda Waggoner’s all-time Texas record of 346, a mark that has stood since 1980. Watching her hunt for the ball is basically a masterclass in defensive anticipation.
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The Men's Game: A Saturday Night Stunner
If you’re actually looking for the result from the men’s side, things got ugly on Saturday night. In a result that shocked the local faithful, the Texas A&M Aggies defeated the Texas Longhorns 74-70.
It was a heartbreaker. The game was tied 29-29 at the half after Tramon Mark drained a buzzer-beating three, and for a second, it felt like the momentum was shifting. It didn't. The Aggies came out in the second half and absolutely punched Texas in the mouth with a 15-5 run.
Jordan Pope and Dailyn Swain both put up 17 points, trying to claw back into it. They actually got within three points with seven seconds left. But then Jacari Lane iced it at the free-throw line. This was a historic loss—it snapped an 11-game home winning streak against the Aggies that dated all the way back to 2002.
Looking Back: Did Football Play Today?
No. The football season is effectively in the rearview mirror for the 2025-2026 campaign.
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If you missed it, the Longhorns finished their season with a statement. Texas beat Michigan 41-27 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl back on December 31. Arch Manning looked every bit like the superstar he’s been hyped up to be, racking up four total touchdowns. It was the kind of performance that makes the long wait for the September 5 season opener against Texas State feel even longer.
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a gauntlet. We're talking Ohio State in Week 2 and a trip to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee in late September. But for today, the pads are off.
Why the Lone Star Showdown Matters So Much Now
The rivalry is just different now that both schools are in the SEC. For years, we had to settle for sporadic matchups or "we'll see you in the postseason" talk. Now? It’s a scheduled fight.
- The Scoring System: The "Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown" isn't just a nickname; it's a formal competition across 19 different sports.
- Recruiting Wars: Both Vic Schaefer and Sean Miller are fighting for the same five-star recruits in the state of Texas.
- The Moody Center Factor: Until Saturday night, the Moody Center was where opponent dreams went to die. The fact that A&M managed to walk out with a win on the men's side changes the narrative for the rest of the season.
What's Next for the Longhorns?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. If you're following the men's team, they have to shake off the A&M loss fast because Kentucky is coming to town this Wednesday.
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For the women's team, the focus remains on Madison Booker and Rori Harmon. Booker is playing like a National Player of the Year candidate, recently becoming only the fifth player in program history to record a triple-double.
If you're planning on heading to a game soon, keep an eye on ticket prices. The A&M game today had seats starting at $9, but conference matchups against teams like Kentucky or Oklahoma usually see those prices spike.
Key takeaways for Longhorn fans today:
- Women's Basketball: Facing A&M today (Jan 18) to protect a 36-game home win streak.
- Men's Basketball: Suffered a 74-70 loss to A&M on Saturday night.
- Football: Season over; next game is Sept 5, 2026, vs. Texas State.
- Record Watch: Rori Harmon is on the verge of becoming the all-time steals leader in Texas history.
Check the official Texas Longhorns app or the SEC Network for the final box score of the women's game if you missed the live broadcast. The defensive intensity in the second half usually tells the story for this squad.
Stay tuned to the Wednesday night slate—the SEC standings are already looking like a total mess, and that’s exactly how we like it.