Matas Vokietaitis delivered a historic offensive performance to launch the No. 7 Texas Longhorns into their new season, scoring 22 points on a flawless 9-for-9 shooting clip from the field. The 7-foot center, who also secured six rebounds, anchored a 109-59 victory over Chicago State on Monday night in Austin. Texas dominated the box score, converting 62.5% of its shots from the floor and draining half of its 3-point attempts, signaling a high-efficiency start for the Big 12 powerhouse.
The 7-footer’s 9-for-9 shooting display anchors a dominant Longhorns debut in Austin.
Beyond Vokietaitis’ perfect shooting night, the Longhorns showcased depth across the backcourt and frontcourt. Point guard Isaiah Johnson contributed 18 points, while freshman Joe Sterling added 14, including four of the team’s 13 three-pointers. The standout performance, however, belonged to 6-foot-9 freshman Marcus Spears Jr., who recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and four blocks. Spears, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2027 class who reclassified to enter college at age 17, made an immediate impact as the No. 4 overall recruit.
The margin of victory highlighted the significant talent gap between the two programs, with Chicago State struggling to contain Texas’ multidimensional attack. Will Lovings-Watts led the Cougars with 13 points, followed by Mike Price with 12, but their efforts were insufficient against a Texas squad that played with poise and precision. This decisive opening win establishes a strong baseline for the Longhorns as they navigate a competitive Big 12 schedule, with Vokietaitis’ efficiency and Spears’ early promise serving as key pillars for the season ahead.
Source: Yahoo Sports
