The Texas Longhorns took on BYU in a thrilling matchup that showcased the depth and resilience of the 11th-seeded team. Despite both teams fielding five players, Texas had a clear edge in terms of scoring depth, which ultimately allowed them to outlast BYU's standout freshman, AJ Dybantsa, who delivered an impressive 35-point performance at the Moda Center in Portland.
Fresh off a gritty 68-66 victory over N.C. State in the First Four, the Longhorns held on for a 79-71 win against the sixth-seeded Cougars. This victory sets them up for a showdown on Saturday against the winner of the Gonzaga-Kennesaw State clash in the round of 32.
Dybantsa, leading the nation with an average of 25.3 points per game, went on a scoring spree with 15 consecutive points to cut Texas' 17-point lead down to six late in the game. However, the Cougars couldn't quite complete the comeback.
Texas established a 46-37 lead at halftime, thanks to the dominant play of their 7-foot Lithuanian center, Matas Vokietaitis. He notched 15 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, with four other teammates contributing at least five points each. Dybantsa was a one-man show for BYU, scoring 20 of their 37 first-half points, with only minimal support from his teammates.
In the second half, Vokietaitis continued to control the paint, finishing with 23 points and 16 rebounds, though he struggled from the free-throw line, missing all seven attempts after the break.
Tramon Mark, known for his clutch shooting against N.C. State, added 19 points to the Longhorns' effort. Dailyn Swain contributed 14 points, while Jordan Pope pitched in with 11, including a crucial 3-pointer with just 1:29 left on the clock.
The Longhorns (20-14) had faced a rough patch, losing five of their last six games before their win over N.C. State. Now, they prepare for their third game in five days, looking to carry this momentum into the next round.