Texas Overcomes First-Half Scare, Rolls Past UMES Behind Pope and Vokietaitis
AUSTIN, Texas - What looked like a routine tune-up on the schedule turned into a wake-up call - at least for a half.
Texas men’s basketball wrapped up its non-conference slate Monday night with a 94-71 win over Maryland Eastern Shore, but it didn’t come easy. For 20 minutes, the Longhorns found themselves in a dogfight against a team that had previously been blown out by 65 points in its only other game against SEC competition.
The Longhorns went into halftime clinging to a 40-34 lead, having allowed UMES to shoot a blistering 50% from beyond the arc. Defensive lapses, cold stretches on offense, and a hungry opponent made things uncomfortably close. But when the second half tipped off, Texas answered the bell - and it started with their veterans.
Jordan Pope Sets the Tone Early
Senior guard Jordan Pope made sure Texas didn’t fall into a deeper hole. The Oregon State transfer was locked in from the jump, knocking down four threes in the first half and finishing the opening 20 minutes with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. While the rest of the offense sputtered through multiple scoring droughts, Pope’s shot-making kept Texas afloat.
By the final buzzer, Pope had poured in 21 points on an efficient 7-for-12 from the field, logging 28 steady minutes. After publicly taking accountability for the team’s flat performance in an earlier loss to Virginia, Pope backed up his words with action - and helped keep Texas from needing another apology.
Second-Half Surge Led by Vokietaitis
While Pope lit the match, it was seven-footer Matas Vokietaitis who fanned the flames in the second half. The Florida Atlantic transfer was a force in the paint, drawing contact and living at the free-throw line. After Texas attempted just nine free throws in the first half, Vokietaitis alone earned 17 trips to the stripe over the final 20 minutes.
He ended the night with a game-high 22 points, going 14-for-21 from the line and scoring six of Texas’ first eight points after halftime. His physicality helped the Longhorns build a double-digit lead early in the second half - one they wouldn’t surrender.
Defensive Adjustments Pay Off
Texas came into the game riding high after a dominant defensive showing against Le Moyne, where they held the Dolphins to just 28.3% shooting - the lowest by a Longhorns opponent in nearly three years. But that defensive intensity didn’t carry over into the first half against UMES.
The Eagles, led by forward Joseph Locandro’s three first-half triples, went 6-of-12 from deep and consistently found open looks. Head coach Sean Miller challenged his team to tighten the screws defensively - and they responded. Texas held UMES to 0-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc in the second half and ramped up the pressure, forcing tougher shots and controlling the tempo.
Physical Finish and Balanced Scoring
Things got chippy down the stretch. A flagrant foul by Texas freshman Declan Duru Jr. on UMES forward Maurice Vassel Jr. sparked a brief altercation that resulted in double-technicals for both sides. In total, the game saw 48 fouls - 29 on UMES and 19 on Texas - making for a whistle-heavy second half.
Despite the physicality, Texas maintained composure and kept the scoreboard moving. Four Longhorns finished in double figures, with Tramon Mark adding 17 points and Dailyn Swain chipping in 14. The Longhorns outscored UMES 54-37 in the second half, using their depth and discipline to pull away.
Winning the Margins
Texas didn’t just win - they won the margins. They outrebounded UMES 37-24, controlled the paint with a 36-28 edge, and turned 13 Eagle turnovers into 16 points. Even with a modest 7-for-22 showing from three-point range (32%), the Longhorns shot a strong 53% from the field overall and got to the free-throw line 33 times, converting 25 of those.
It marked the eighth time this season Texas has cracked the 90-point mark - a testament to the offensive firepower Miller’s group can unleash when they’re clicking.
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t the cleanest win for Texas, but it was a necessary one. The first half served as a reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly, while the second half showed what this team is capable of when it leans into its size, experience, and defensive potential.
With non-conference play in the rearview, the Longhorns now turn their focus to a deeper, more demanding stretch. If Pope continues to lead with confidence and Vokietaitis remains a matchup nightmare inside, Texas has the pieces to make real noise as the calendar flips to conference play.