Swain Leads the Charge as Texas Rallies Past South Carolina in Moody Center
AUSTIN, Texas - For the second straight game, Dailyn Swain was the heartbeat of Texas basketball - and once again, he delivered in a big way. The junior forward poured in 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Longhorns to an 84-75 win over South Carolina on Tuesday night, securing back-to-back double-doubles and pushing Texas to 14-9 overall and 5-5 in SEC play.
Swain’s performance wasn’t just productive - it was timely. With 15 of his 22 points coming in the second half, he stepped up when the game tightened, knocking down 6-of-11 from the floor and going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Add in three assists, two steals, and a team-best +12 in 38 minutes, and it’s clear: Swain didn’t just show up - he took over.
But he wasn’t alone. Graduate guard Tramon Mark found his rhythm after halftime, scoring 15 of his 18 points in the second period.
Mark was efficient and aggressive, hitting 5-of-6 from the stripe and tying his season high with six rebounds in just 27 minutes. His second-half spark helped Texas pull away when the Gamecocks made their late push.
Camden Heide continued his steady play, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including three triples. He added five rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes, showing once again why his two-way contributions are quietly becoming a key part of this Longhorns team.
And let’s not overlook sophomore Matas Vokietaitis, who brought energy and toughness off the bench. He chipped in 12 points, hit six of nine from the line, and grabbed nine rebounds - five of them on the offensive glass. His presence on the boards was felt all night, especially in a game where second-chance opportunities made a real difference.
Winning the Hustle Game
Texas didn’t just win this game on talent - they won it by outworking their opponent. The Longhorns dominated the glass with a +15 rebound margin (40-25), including a commanding 17-6 edge on the offensive boards. That translated into 20 second-chance points, nearly tripling South Carolina’s total of seven.
And when it came to cashing in at the free throw line, Texas didn’t flinch. They knocked down 29-of-36 (.806), while South Carolina went 19-of-24 (.792). In a game that stayed within single digits most of the way, that kind of efficiency at the stripe matters - a lot.
A Game of Runs
This one had the feel of a heavyweight bout early, with both teams trading momentum. South Carolina came out swinging, using a 10-3 run to build a 16-7 lead midway through the first half. But Texas countered, as Mark buried a three to cap an 8-0 run that trimmed the deficit to one.
Swain’s three-pointer knotted the game at 23-23 with just over six minutes left in the half, and from there, the Longhorns started to assert themselves. A quick 5-0 burst gave them their first lead, and they carried a 35-31 advantage into the break.
Texas opened the second half with a Mark step-back jumper, but South Carolina refused to go quietly. A 39-39 tie at the 16-minute mark set the stage for a back-and-forth battle, and even after Texas built a 68-60 cushion late, the Gamecocks clawed back within two.
But when it mattered most, the Longhorns had the final answer. A 12-3 run in the closing minutes - capped by two clutch Swain free throws with 23 seconds left - sealed the win and sent the Moody Center crowd home happy.
Turning the Corner?
This was another gritty comeback for Texas, who trailed by nine in the first half - just three days after overcoming a 14-point deficit at Oklahoma. It marks the third time this season they’ve erased a deficit of at least nine points and come out on top. That kind of resilience is starting to become a trademark.
Now sitting at .500 in SEC play, the Longhorns are showing signs of a team that’s learning how to close games and win tough matchups. They’ve outrebounded 20 of their first 23 opponents and hit double digits in offensive boards in 18 games - that’s not a fluke. That’s a team identity.
Stat Sheet Highlights:
- Dailyn Swain: 22 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 9-9 FT
- Tramon Mark: 18 pts, 6 reb, 5-6 FT
- Camden Heide: 12 pts, 5 reb, 3-6 3PT
- Matas Vokietaitis: 12 pts, 9 reb (5 offensive), 6-9 FT
- Team FT%: 29-of-36 (.806)
- Rebound Margin: +15 (40-25)
- Second-Chance Points: 20-7
- Fast Break Points: 13-7
Looking Ahead
Texas returns to action this Saturday when they host Ole Miss at Moody Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
Central, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. With momentum building and their confidence growing, the Longhorns will look to keep climbing in the SEC standings - and if Swain keeps playing like this, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.