In a commanding performance at the Frank Erwin Center, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns defeated the Gardner‑Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 98-50 on Thursday night. Junior center Matas Vokietaitis, celebrating his 22nd birthday, led the scoring with 16 points on an efficient 6‑for‑8 shooting night and added seven rebounds in just 20 minutes.
Balanced attack fuels blowout
Texas displayed a well‑rounded offensive onslaught, converting 15 of 17 field‑goal attempts over the first two games of the season. The Longhorns outscored Gardner‑Webb 54-10 inside the paint, highlighting their size advantage. Freshmen Marcus Spears Jr. and Joe Sterling each contributed 13 points, while sophomore transfer Isaiah Johnson added 15 points after moving from Colorado.
Freshman guard Austin Goosby chipped in 11 points and led Texas with five of the team’s 13 steals, underscoring the defensive pressure that forced 23 turnovers from the Bulldogs. Those turnovers were quickly turned into 31 points for Texas, and the Longhorns recorded 28 fast‑break points overall.
Dominance in the half
Texas built a 21‑0 run to close the first half, entering the locker room with a 54-20 lead. The Bulldogs were unable to score during the final six minutes of the half, and Texas maintained a 28-6 advantage in the paint during that stretch. Gardner‑Webb struggled from beyond the arc, missing 11 of 12 three‑point attempts and committing 10 turnovers in the half.
The Bulldogs shot just 33% overall, compared with Texas’s 61% shooting efficiency. They managed only five makes on 23 three‑point tries, while Texas’s defense forced a high number of miscues that translated into easy baskets.
Key contributors for Gardner‑Webb
Gardner‑Webb’s leading scorers were Mikhail Pocknett and Jamias Ferere, each finishing with 12 points. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed flashes of competitiveness early in the game before Texas’s relentless pressure took hold.
Looking ahead
After the dominant win, Texas will host Grambling State on Monday, seeking to continue its strong start to the season. Gardner‑Webb heads to Erskine on Wednesday as it looks to rebound from the heavy defeat.
The Longhorns’ performance reflects their depth, size, and disciplined execution, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the non‑conference schedule.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
