Texas Rallies Behind Swain's Double-Double, Delivers Sean Miller His 500th Career Win in Norman
NORMAN, Okla. - For the seventh straight time, Texas walked into Lloyd Noble Center and walked out with a win. But this one came with a little extra weight - both in the comeback and the milestone.
Junior wing Dailyn Swain led the charge with a complete performance, posting 18 points, 10 rebounds, and a game-high six assists to power the Longhorns to a 79-69 victory over Oklahoma. The win not only pushed Texas to 13-9 on the season (4-5 SEC), but it also marked head coach Sean Miller’s 500th career victory - a significant milestone in his 21st season on the sidelines.
And they didn’t make it easy on themselves.
Texas found itself in a 14-point hole midway through the first half, trailing 23-9 with just under 10 minutes to play. At that point, it looked like the Sooners might finally snap a six-game home skid against their rival. But the Longhorns had other plans - and a whole lot of fight left in them.
A Game of Runs, with Texas Saving Its Best for Last
The Longhorns’ comeback was their largest of the season, and it came in waves. After falling behind by double digits early, they responded with a 9-0 burst to cut the deficit to five. By halftime, Texas had clawed all the way back to within three, trailing just 33-30.
The second half was a different story - one of efficiency, resilience, and timely shot-making. Texas shot a blistering 72% from the field over the final 20 minutes, including 6-of-11 from deep. They put up 49 second-half points and outscored the Sooners by 13 after the break.
Oklahoma still had its moments, pushing ahead 61-55 with 8:37 left following a Xzayvier Brown three-pointer. But that’s when Texas flipped the switch.
Swain, who had 13 of his 18 points in the second half, threw down a dunk to cap a 7-0 run that gave Texas a 62-61 lead - their first since it was 2-0. From there, they never looked back. The Longhorns closed the game on a 24-8 run, including a 13-4 spurt in the final five minutes that sealed the deal.
Balanced Attack, Big-Time Efficiency
Swain wasn’t alone in carrying the load. Texas had five players score in double figures, and they did it with surgical efficiency.
- Matas Vokietaitis was nearly automatic, hitting 7-of-9 shots for 14 points and grabbing six rebounds in just 24 minutes.
- Camden Heide came off the bench firing, scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
- Jordan Pope added 12 points, with 10 of those coming in the second half when Texas needed a spark.
- Simeon Wilcher chipped in 10 points off the bench, along with two assists, a block, and a steal.
As a team, Texas shot 60% from the field - their best mark in SEC play this season and second-best overall - and committed a season-low 11 fouls. They also dominated the paint, outscoring Oklahoma 42-28 inside and winning the rebounding battle 32-28.
Swain’s All-Around Impact
Swain continues to be the engine for this team. His 18-point, 10-rebound, six-assist outing was his fourth double-double of the season and the seventh of his career. He was everywhere - scoring, facilitating, defending - and logged 37 high-energy minutes.
In the second half alone, he poured in 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting, went 5-for-5 from the line, and added four boards, two assists, and two steals. When the game tightened, Swain was the one who steadied the ship.
Milestone Moment for Miller
While the comeback and the stat lines will grab attention, the bigger story might be Sean Miller reaching the 500-win mark. It’s a testament to his longevity and success across multiple programs. With a career record of 500-205, Miller has consistently built winners - and this latest victory adds another chapter to his coaching legacy.
What’s Next
Texas returns home to face South Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Moody Center. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Central, with national coverage on SEC Network.
With momentum from a gritty road win, the Longhorns will look to keep climbing in the SEC standings - and if they keep playing like they did in the second half in Norman, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.