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Texas dominates Gardner-Webb 98-50 behind Vokietaitis

Matas Vokietaitis led Texas with 16 points and 7 rebounds as the Longhorns cruised past Gardner-Webb 98-50 at Moody Center on Thursday.

Cody Ferris· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

November 6, 20262 min read

Basketball Victory - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NCAA Men's BasketballFinal
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs50
Texas Longhorns98

November 5, 2026

A First-Half Surge Defines the Contest

The Texas Longhorns established control of their matchup against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs before the final buzzer sounded, securing a decisive 98-50 victory at the Moody Center on Thursday. The outcome was largely determined in the opening period, where Texas built an insurmountable lead that Gardner-Webb could not overcome despite a second-half push.

Texas opened with intensity, jumping out to a 54-20 advantage by halftime. The Longhorns’ offensive efficiency was on full display as they utilized a balanced attack to dismantle the early defense of their visitors. By the time the first half concluded, Texas had already secured enough margin to dictate the pace for the remainder of the contest.

Vokietaitis Leads the Way

Matas Vokietaitis was the standout performer for the home team, contributing 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds. His presence in the paint and ability to score efficiently were pivotal in extending Texas’s lead throughout the game. Vokietaitis scored on a variety of plays, including dunks and layups, showcasing his versatility against the Gardner-Webb defense.

While Vokietaitis provided the scoring punch, Elyjah Freeman orchestrated the offense with four assists, facilitating plays that kept the Longhorns’ momentum alive. The team’s depth allowed them to maintain pressure even when starters rested, ensuring the gap remained wide.

Gardner-Webb Attempts a Rally

Gardner-Webb struggled to find consistent offense against Texas’s defensive scheme in the first half, trailing by 34 points at the break. Mikhali Pocknett led the Bulldogs with 12 points and five rebounds, attempting to keep his team competitive. Jackson Skipper contributed two assists for Gardner-Webb as they tried to chip away at the deficit.

The second half saw Gardner-Webb score 30 points to Texas’s 44, narrowing the gap but never threatening the lead. The Bulldogs’ efforts were highlighted by late-game scoring runs, but the early hole proved too deep to climb out of. Despite the improved performance in the second period, Gardner-Webb could not match the sustained output of the Longhorns.

Records After Victory

The win improves the Texas Longhorns’ record to 2-0 on the season. The loss drops the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs to 0-2. The game was played in front of 10,807 spectators at the Moody Center in Austin, TX.

Sources

ESPN

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Cody Ferris· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

Cody Ferris covers Van Alstyne Panthers athletics and area high school and college sports.

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