Texas Edges Past NC State in a Thrilling NCAA Tournament Opener
In a nail-biting contest in Dayton, Ohio, the No. 11-seeded Texas Longhorns managed to shake off their recent slump, overcoming NC State 68-66 in a dramatic NCAA Tournament matchup. This victory marks Texas' first tournament win since 2024, propelling them into a first-round clash against No. 6 seed BYU in Portland.
With the game deadlocked at 66, Texas' sixth-year wing Tramon Mark delivered when it mattered most, sinking a clutch midrange jumper with just 1.1 seconds remaining. NC State, out of timeouts, made a desperate full-court attempt, but Dailyn Swain's block sealed the win for the Longhorns.
Early on, Texas showed a renewed offensive spark, starting 4-of-7 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Despite building a 10-point lead, the Longhorns faltered late in the first half, hitting only three of their last 14 shots, allowing NC State to close the gap to one point by halftime.
Tramon Mark led the charge for Texas, scoring 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Chendall Weaver was a force off the bench, recording his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping Texas dominate the boards 45-33.
Dailyn Swain added 13 points, primarily from the free-throw line, and was one of four Longhorns to score in double figures, alongside Mark, Weaver, and Matas Vokietaitis. NC State's senior forward Darrion Williams put up a valiant effort, leading all scorers with 21 points.
Texas shot 37% from the field, while NC State finished at 39%, underscoring the defensive intensity throughout the game.
First Half Highlights
Texas came out strong defensively, opening 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range, while NC State struggled, starting 1-of-7. By the under-12 timeout, Texas led 16-12, leveraging a 20-9 rebounding advantage, thanks in part to Matas Vokietaitis' presence down low.
As the half progressed, Texas faced challenges closing out, a theme throughout their season. Despite leading 30-23 at the under-4, NC State's Darrion Williams kept the Wolfpack within striking distance, leading all scorers with 14 points by halftime.
Second Half Drama
The second half saw strategic challenges from both coaches, with possession disputes adding to the tension. NC State briefly seized the lead, but Texas responded, regaining control with a 41-38 advantage at the under-12 timeout, fueled by Weaver's efforts on the boards.
As the clock wound down, Texas built an eight-point lead, but NC State refused to go quietly, closing the gap to two. Ultimately, Mark's late-game heroics and Swain's defensive stand preserved the victory for Texas.
With this win, Texas moves forward, ready to face BYU in what promises to be another intense battle. The Longhorns have shown resilience and grit, setting the stage for an exciting tournament run.