Dominant Home Performance
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns asserted their dominance early and often, defeating the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 98-50 on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin. The decisive victory extended Texas to a perfect 2-0 record on the season, while Gardner-Webb fell to 0-2.
Matas Vokietaitis led the Longhorns with 16 points and seven rebounds, providing a steady offensive presence against a visiting team that struggled to find rhythm in front of a crowd of 10,807.
First-Half Surge
Texas established control quickly, building a substantial lead before the halftime break. The Longhorns outscored the Runnin' Bulldogs 54-20 in the first half, a disparity that set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Vokietaitis contributed significantly to this burst, hitting key dunks and free throws to keep the scoreboard moving.
Elyjah Freeman facilitated the offense with four assists, helping Texas move the ball efficiently. The Longhorns’ ability to score in transition and from beyond the arc created a gap that Gardner-Webb could not close, leaving them trailing by 34 points at the intermission.
Second-Half Control
The margin of victory only widened in the second half as Texas continued to execute with precision. The Longhorns added 44 points in the final 20 minutes, extending their lead to 48 points with the final buzzer. Vokietaitis finished strong with layups and free throws, while Joe Sterling and Austin Goosby provided additional scoring sparks from the perimeter.
Texas’ defense held Gardner-Webb to 30 points in the second half, limiting the Runnin' Bulldogs’ ability to generate high-percentage shots. The consistency in both halves allowed the Longhorns to manage the clock and maintain their lead without any significant threats from the visitors.
Key Performances
On the Texas side, Vokietaitis was the standout performer, combining scoring with rebounding to anchor the frontcourt. Freeman’s playmaking was crucial in linking the offense, while the support cast provided timely buckets. For Gardner-Webb, Mikhali Pocknett was the lone bright spot, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Jackson Skipper added two assists, but the Runnin' Bulldogs lacked the depth to challenge Texas for an extended period. The 48-point margin reflected a significant difference in execution and talent, leaving Texas with a clean sheet in their first two games and Gardner-Webb facing early-season challenges.
Sources
ESPN
