The Texas Longhorns held off a late surge by the Louisiana State Tigers to secure an 88-85 victory at the Moody Center, improving their record to 17-9 and solidifying their position in the NCAA tournament conversation. Texas, led by Dailyn Swain's 21 points and 10 rebounds, dominated the first half, outscoring LSU 48-33 and building a 15-point lead. The Longhorns shot 52.9% from the field in the first half, including 5-10 from three-point range, while LSU struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 38.5% from the field. Texas's strong first-half performance was a continuation of its recent trend, as the team has averaged 81.8 points per game over its last 5 contests, outscoring opponents by 8.2 points per game.
As the second half got underway, LSU began to find its footing, led by Max Mackinnon's 29 points, including 18 in the second half. The Tigers outscored Texas 52-40 in the second half, cutting the deficit to just 3 points with 1:30 remaining. However, Texas was able to hold on, thanks in part to Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark, who each scored 18 points and made key plays late. Pope's 4-7 shooting from three-point range was particularly crucial, as it helped to stretch the LSU defense and create opportunities for his teammates. With 2:15 remaining, Mark hit a clutch three-pointer to put Texas up by 6, and the Longhorns were able to salt the game away from there. Over the last 5 games, Texas has gone 4-1, with its only loss coming in an 82-88 defeat at Auburn.
Swain's performance was particularly impressive, as he not only scored 21 points but also grabbed 10 rebounds and played tenacious defense. Mackinnon, on the other hand, was nearly unstoppable in the second half, scoring 18 points on 6-10 shooting from the field. Marquel Sutton added 19 points and 5 rebounds for LSU, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' slow start. Texas's ability to balance its scoring, with three players reaching double figures, was a key factor in its victory. The Longhorns have now had at least three players score in double figures in 12 of their last 15 games, and this balanced attack has been a major factor in their success.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 10.5-point Texas victory was ultimately correct, although the actual margin was much closer than expected.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct because Texas's strong offense, which has averaged 81.8 points per game over its last 5 contests, was able to outscore LSU's struggling defense, which has allowed 82.8 points per game over its last 5 games. Additionally, Texas's defense, which has allowed just 73.6 points per game over its last 5 contests, was able to limit LSU's offense, particularly in the first half. The Tigers' recent trend of being outscored by 12.0 points per game over its last 5 contests was a major factor in the prediction, and Texas was able to capitalize on this weakness. LSU has now lost 4 of its last 5 games, with its only win coming in a 92-87 victory at South Carolina.
The victory was a Quadrant 2 win for Texas, which should help to boost its NCAA tournament resume.
The win should also help to improve Texas's NET ranking, which currently stands at 37. With the loss, LSU's NET ranking remains at 67, and the Tigers must string together some wins in order to get back into the tournament conversation. Texas's win over LSU was its 4th Quadrant 1 or 2 victory of the season, and the Longhorns want to add to this total as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The Longhorns have a crucial matchup against Oklahoma coming up, and a win in that game could potentially lock up a tournament bid. Over the last 5 games, Texas has outscored its opponents by an average of 8.2 points per game, and this strong play has put the Longhorns in a good position to make a deep run in the tournament.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams making big plays and neither able to gain a decisive advantage. In the end, Texas's strong first half and clutch shooting late were enough to secure the victory. The Longhorns have now won 4 of their last 5 games, with the only loss coming in a 82-88 defeat at Auburn. LSU, on the other hand, has lost 4 of its last 5 games, and the Tigers must turn things around quickly if they hope to make a push for the tournament. With 5 games remaining in the regular season, Texas is in a good position to make a deep run in the tournament, and the Longhorns want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch. Texas has averaged 75.5 points per game over its last 10 contests, and this strong offense has been a major factor in the Longhorns' success. The Longhorns have also been strong on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 4.5 rebounds per game over the last 10 contests. This combination of strong offense and rebounding has made Texas a formidable opponent, and the Longhorns want to continue this strong play as they head into the tournament.