No. 1 Texas Wins

It took Texas a little more than 16 years to return to No. 1. The long climb back might explain why the Longhorns had such a hard time defending their ranking the first time out.

At Austin, Heather Schreiber scored 16 points and Texas (22-2, 10-1 Big 12) fought off Texas A&M;, 66-55, Wednesday with timely three-point shooting. Toccara Williams scored 22 to lead the Aggies (8-14, 1-10).

Diana Taurasi and Ann Strother each scored 10 points in the first half as No. 2 Connecticut beat Syracuse, 82-38, at Syracuse, N.Y.... Nicole Ohlde scored 23 points and Kendra Wecker added 21 to help No. 9 Kansas State defeat Kansas, 81-51, at Lawrence, Kan.... Randie Wirt made three of four free throws in the final minute, and Maria Billingsley added two to lift No. 12 Colorado over Iowa State, 72-67, at Boulder, Colo.... Tiffanie Blackmon scored 14 of her 22 points in the first half for No. 18 Baylor as it beat Missouri, 83-59, at Columbia, Mo.