The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
7-2,0-0SEC
UConn
7-3,0-0Big East
Men's Basketball falls at home to No. 25/nr UConn, 76-65
12.08.2024 | Men's Basketball
Johnson posts a game-high 24 points and Kaluma adds 20 points in Sunday’s defeat.
AUSTIN, Texas — Freshman guard Tre Johnson registered a game-high 24 points, but Texas (7-2) dropped a 76-65 decision to No. 25/nr UConn (7-3) on Sunday evening in Moody Center. The Longhorns fell to 21-1 all-time in non-conference games and 7-3 against AP Top 25 opponents in Moody Center history.
Johnson converted 9-of-17 field goals, including 3-of-8 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 free throws while adding four assists and a season-high three steals in 38 minutes. Senior Arthur Kaluma posted a season-high 20 points while hitting 6-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-4 threes, and 5-of-6 free throws while recording a team-high nine rebounds in 35 minutes.
UConn jumped out to a 9-2 advantage following a pair of free throws by Alex Karaban at the 16:35 mark. After a Johnson jumper pulled the Longhorns to within 13-6 with 13:52 remaining, the Huskies responded with a 9-0 spurt over the next two-and-a-half minutes to build a 22-6 cushion following a Karaban three-pointer at the 11:10 mark. Texas answered with a 6-0 run over the next 90 seconds to trim the deficit to 22-12 after a Tramon Mark jumper with 9:32 left, but UConn scored six-straight points to increase its cushion to 28-12 following another Karaban three-pointer at the 8:55 mark.
A pair of Kaluma free throws cut the gap to 28-16 with 7:29 remaining, but the Huskies used a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to build a 35-16 advantage after a Solo Ball three-pointer at the 5:14 mark. UConn increased the margin to as much as 22 points (42-20) following a pair of Karaban free throws with 1:47 remaining, before the Longhorns scored the final four points of the half to close to within 42-24 at the break.
A Samson Johnson dunk gave UConn a 53-33 advantage at the 16:22 mark, before the Longhorns used a 15-7 spurt over the next three minutes to trim the deficit to 60-48 following a Johnson three-pointer with 13:16 left. Texas cut the deficit to 64-54 after a Johnson jumper at the 8:50 mark, but the Huskies used a 9-4 run over the next four-plus minutes to increase their cushion to 73-58 following a Karaban put-back with 4:04 remaining. The Longhorns went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to pull to within 73-65 after a Kaluma three-pointer at the 1:15 mark, but that was as close as Texas would get.
The Longhorns return to action when they host New Mexico State on Thursday, Dec. 12. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central at Moody Center, and the contest will be streamed nationally by SEC Network+.
Texas Basketball Postgame Notes
#25/nr UConn 76, Texas 65
December 8, 2024
Moody Center (Austin, Texas)
Attendance: 11,039
Team Notes
- Texas dropped to 4-1 in home games this season and 34-5 all-time in games played in Moody Center.
- The Longhorns dropped to 21-1 all-time in non-conference games in Moody Center.
- Texas fell to 7-3 against AP Top 25 opponents in Moody Center history.
- After being outscored 42-24 in the opening 20 minutes, the Longhorns posted a 41-34 scoring margin in the second half.
- Texas converted 54.2-percent (13-24) from the floor, including a 63.6-percent mark (7-11) from three-point range, during the final 20 minutes.
- Topped the 20-point mark (game-high 24 points) for the fourth time in his career (9 games)
- Has reached double figures in scoring in each of his first nine collegiate contests
- Has led or tied for the team lead in scoring in each of his first nine collegiate games
- Set his season high in steals (3) and tied his season high in assists (4)
- Set his season high in scoring (20 points)
- Topped the 20-point mark for the first time this season (9 games) and 11th time in his career (110 games)
- Reached double figures in scoring for the eighth time this season and the 76th time in his career
- Tied his season high in three-point field goals made (3-4)
- Was one rebound shy of recording his third double-double of the year
- Did not play (right wrist)
- Posted two blocked shots in 37 minutes of action
- Has recorded multiple blocks in seven of his first nine games this year
