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Texas women's basketball loses Aaliyah Moore for season

Texas sophomore forward Aaliyah Moore will miss the remainder of the season after tearing her left ACL in Sunday's win over Alabama State.

Moore, who will undergo surgery before beginning rehab, had started all nine games for Texas, averaging 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.

"We are all devastated for Aaliyah and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family during this time," Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer said in a statement. "... We will be by her side, every step of the way and help her get through this. We know she will return next season and be better and stronger than ever."

The news is another blow for a Texas team -- ranked No. 3 in the preseason -- that's been trying to get back on track after a 5-4 start that resulted in the Longhorns tumbling out of the rankings.

"I want to thank my teammates, our coaching staff and the athletic training staff and team doctors at Texas for their support during this difficult time," Moore, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, said in a statement. "... I know God has a plan for me and I'm going to work as hard as I can to be able to rejoin my teammates on the court. I'm going to attack the rehab process and be the best teammate I can from the sidelines."

Texas has had bad luck with injuries to start the season. Point guard Rori Harmon missed five games with a toe issue, while Taylor Jones, a transfer from Oregon State who cracked the starting five, has not played since Nov. 27 and is considered day-to-day while being evaluated by the team's medical staff.

The Longhorns next play at Jackson State on Wednesday.