The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Cairns Taipans
Men’s Basketball rallies for 71-69 win against Cairns Taipans
08.18.2017 | Men's Basketball
Andrew Jones converts game-winning basket with 3.9 seconds left to pace the Longhorns to victory on Friday evening.
Video Highlights and Postgame Interviews
CAIRNS, Australia — Sophomore guard Andrew Jones converted a layup with 3.9 seconds left to lift The University of Texas to a 71-69 victory against the Cairns Taipans on Friday evening at Bendigo Bank Basketball Stadium. The Taipans play in the National Basketball League (NBL), the top professional league in Australia.
The Longhorns trailed 69-67 in the final minute, before Jones hit a mid-range jumper to tie the score. Following a defensive stop, Jones got possession of a loose ball on the left baseline, drove to the basket and made the layup with 3.9 seconds left to give the Longhorns the lead. On the Taipans' final possession, UT's defensive pressure forced time to run out before Cairns could attempt a shot.
Junior forward Dylan Osetkowski recorded a team-high 15 points and 6 assists. Junior guard Eric Davis Jr. scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, while freshman forward Mohamed Bamba registered all 11 of his points in the second half. Jones had 11 points and 4 steals in the win.
This marks just the second overseas summer tour by a UT men's basketball team and first since the program visited Australia in the summer prior to the 1996-97 season.
The Longhorns conclude their four-game Australian exhibition tour on Monday, Aug. 21 against the Illawarra Hawks, the third straight NBL franchise that Texas will play. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. Australia time (4:30 a.m. Central) in Sydney. A live video stream of the Texas-Illawarra game will be available HERE.
