The last minute of Texas’ victory over U.C.L.A. was played from the foul lines. By then, the Longhorns knew they were headed to the round of 16.
Texas, the No. 6 seed, relied on its high-pressure defense to limit the third-seeded Bruins to 14 points in the first half and took a 21-point lead. U.C.L.A. could not close enough of that gap in the second half to prevent a 71-62 Texas victory.
The Longhorns will face Maryland, a high-scoring No. 2 seed, on Sunday.
On Wednesday, the Bruins shot 33 percent while Texas shot 51 percent. Texas was 6 for 17 from beyond the 3-point arc; U.C.L.A. made just one of its 19 3-point attempts.
Longhorns guard Celeste Taylor led the way with 24 points, and point guard Kyra Lambert added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Bruins’ Michaela Onyenwere, projected to be a top-10 pick in the W.N.B.A. draft this year, had 23 points.
With a wave to the guests and a quick dance, the Longhorns left to prepare for an extended stay in San Antonio.
