The Texas Longhorns are rolling after dropping their first game of the season, bouncing back in a big way to kickstart the season following a four-game home stand where the Longhorns were perfect, currently sitting with a 4-1 record after the first five games of the season.
The Longhorns travel to the Aloha State for this year’s Maui Invitational, and in the first game of the tournament, Texas takes on the Big 12’s Arizona State Sun Devils, who, just like the Longhorns, sit with a 4-1 record after the first five games of the season and come off a win against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Last time out, the Longhorns scored the most points they have all season and recorded their third 90-point game of the year after what was a difficult game shooting the basketball against Kansas City. The Longhorns got back on track from the field, beating the Rider Broncs 99-65.
Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) reacts to a three point basket by forward Camden Heide (5) during the second half at Moody Center. / Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images
The Longhorns had their best scoring night this season, with four different players reaching double-digit points and three players reaching 20 points on the night. Leading the charge was forward Dailyn Swain, who continues to assimilate himself into the Longhorns program very well, finishing the night with 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes.
Elsewhere, center Matas Vokietaitis continues his hot start to the year in his first season in a Longhorns uniform, recording 20 points, shooting six of eight from the field, three rebounds, a block, and an assist even while finding himself in foul trouble early in the game.
And having his best performance with the Longhorns was forward Camden Heide, starting his first game with the burnt orange, due to an injury to forward Nic Codie. In his first start, Heide finished the game with 20 points, shooting six of nine from three-point range and five rebounds.
The Longhorns will have to keep an eye out for Arizona State guard Maurice Odum, who’s leading the Sun Devils in both points, assists, and steals. Through the Sun Devils’ first five games of the season, Odum is averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 assists, 2.6 steals, and four rebounds per game.
The Longhorns continue through the nonconference portion of the schedule, taking on their second Power 4 opponent of the season tonight at 10:30 PM against Arizona State at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii, for game six of the season, and be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.
Follow below for live updates as the game progresses.
Texas’ starting lineup: guard Jordan Pope, guard Tramon Mark, forward Dailyn Swain, forward Camden Heide, center Matas Vokietaitis.
Texas wins the tipoff, and we are up and running from Paradise.
It’s been a highly contested first four minutes of the game with the Longhorns leading 5-3 with 15:48 minutes left in the first half.
Texas came out firing on the very first possession with Tramon Mark hitting a three-pointer for the first points of the ball game, which was responded to with a three-pointer by Arizona State. And a made two-pointer from Dailyn Swain gave the Longhorns the early lead.
Texas keeps its narrow lead now up 13-9 with 11:26 minutes left in the half.
It was a rough stretch for the Longhorns, going on a cold spell that lasted over two minutes and were on a run of shooting two of 10 from the field. Both teams are struggling, with Texas shooting four of 11 from the field and Arizona State shooting four of 12.
The Longhorns continue to hold their lead in this one, leading 23-17 with 7:20 minutes left in the first half.
Texas stays on top despite missing four straight field goals during the past few minutes, and Sun Devils guard Anthony Johnson found a rhythm with a game-high 10 points, shooting four of five from the field. However, Texas has made its last two shots to find the six-point lead, the largest of the game.
Texas keeps its lead with the final minutes of the first half quickly approaching, leading 28-23 with 3:37 minutes left in the half.
The Longhorns overcame their turnover issues, with four turnovers on four straight possessions; however, Arizona State not making a field goal in the last four minutes kept the Longhorns from being affected. Tramon Mark is finding his rhythm, leading the Longhorns with eight points on two of four shooting.
The Longhorns battled coming out of the locker room, retaking the momentum of the game, now leading 54-50.
Texas came out hot, making all seven of its field goal attempts in the second half. Both Dailyn Swain and Chendall Weaver are up to nine points, and Matas Vokietaitis is up to eight.
While the Sun Devils have chipped into the Longhorns’ lead, Texas continues hanging on in this one, leading 63-59 with 11:29 minutes left to go in the second half.
The Longhorns continue their hot hand in the second half, making 10 of their 13 field goal attempts and making 50 percent of their shots since the last timeout. Not too far behind are the Sun Devils, who are shooting five of 10 from the field and trail by just four.
Texas is slowly beginning to pull away now, up 76-66 with 7:33 minutes left in the second half.
The Longhorns are now playing with speed and are currently on a seven-to-nothing run, making six out of their last seven field goal attempts. Arizona State has had a rough last few minutes, not making a single field goal in the last three minutes.
It’s back and forth down the stretch in Maui with the Longhorns leading 82-80 with just 3:55 minutes left in the ball game.
Dailyn Swain is leading the Longhorns up to 20 points in the game, and for the Sun Devils, Maurice Odum has been on a tear, scoring 33 points, finding his success at the free throw line, making 16 of his 18 free throw attempts.
