Texas Triumphs Over Ole Miss in Chris Beard’s Austin Return
The Texas Longhorns secured a crucial win against Ole Miss, enhancing their NCAA Tournament hopes. The game, held at the Moody Center in Austin, concluded with a score of 79-68. This victory marked the Longhorns’ third consecutive win, despite a challenging second half.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
Matas Vokietaitis led the Longhorns with a remarkable 27 points. His performance was pivotal, especially as he initiated the scoring with Texas’s first eight points. Tramon Mark contributed significantly with 19 points, while Jordan Pope added 13 points—eight of which came in the critical second half.
- Matas Vokietaitis: 27 points
- Tramon Mark: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jordan Pope: 13 points
- Dailyn Swain: 7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Chris Beard’s Emotional Return
Scott Beard, the head coach of Ole Miss, returned to the Moody Center with hopes for a triumphant outing. Beard was previously the head coach at Texas before being released in January 2023 following an arrest related to third-degree domestic violence charges. Despite the emotional stakes, the Longhorns managed a late-game rally to secure their victory.
First Half Dominance
In the first half, Texas built a significant lead. They enjoyed a brief 18-point advantage after a 16-0 scoring surge. However, Ole Miss fought back, narrowing the score to 37-25 at halftime after a 7-0 run.
Second Half Struggles and Late Rally
After halftime, Ole Miss began to dominate, even taking a 50-47 lead. Texas struggled briefly but rallied late in the game. Key contributions from Pope and Swain, including a decisive and-one bucket from Swain, solidified the Longhorns’ lead.
Looking Ahead
Texas will aim to extend their winning streak to four games as they prepare to face Missouri on Valentine’s Day. With their NCAA Tournament aspirations alive, the Longhorns hope to maintain their momentum.
