Texas Freshmen Debut in 85-65 Win Over FDU
Four top-50 recruits made their Texas debuts as the Longhorns beat Fairleigh Dickinson at Moody Center.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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Texas women's basketball beat Fairleigh Dickinson 85-65 on Wednesday at Moody Center in Austin. Freshmen Addison Bjorn, Lizzy Spaight, Amalia Holguin and Isi Etute all made their debuts, though none of them started.
Why it matters
The game marked the first time since 2021 that Texas played four freshmen in a season opener, signaling a deep and heavily recruited incoming class. Brihanna Crittendon's absence after an eye injury left a notable gap in the lineup.
Isi Etute led the freshman group with nine points on 3-for-3 shooting and five rebounds in 24 minutes, while Addison Bjorn added six points, three rebounds and a block in 21 minutes. Crittendon, rated No. 12 in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, did not play.
The players
Vic Schaefer
Vic Schaefer is the head coach of the Texas women's basketball program, who has said Brihanna Crittendon could contend for a starting spot this season.
Brihanna Crittendon
Brihanna Crittendon is a 6-foot-3 freshman guard rated by ESPN as the Class of 2026's No. 12 recruit, whose debut was delayed by an eye injury.
The details
Crittendon was elbowed in the eye during a shootaround before the game and felt worse as the day progressed, so the decision was made for her not to play. Lizzy Spaight scored four points with one assist and two turnovers in 12 minutes, and Amalia Holguin scored no points in one minute.
Timeline
2021: Texas last played four freshmen in a season opener.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Texas beat Fairleigh Dickinson 85-65 at Moody Center.
Season Trajectory
The Longhorns' decision to play four freshmen in a season opener mirrors their 2021 approach, when they last fielded a comparably young rotation. The early debuts suggest the program is building depth around a highly ranked recruiting class.
Fantasy and roster watchers should note that Crittendon's status is uncertain after her eye injury, which affects how her early-season role will be projected. The four freshmen's debuts give Texas a deeper rotation option for upcoming games.
The takeaway
The early debuts show Texas trusting its highly ranked freshman class, and how Crittendon recovers will determine whether that depth becomes a starting-lineup advantage this season.
Further reading
Explore more Austin basketball coverage for context on the local college program.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Austin American-Statesman.
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