The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
16-12,5-10SEC
Arkansas
17-11,6-9SEC
Men's Basketball falls in overtime at Arkansas, 86-81
02.27.2025 | Men's Basketball
Johnson sets the Texas freshman single-game scoring record with 39 points on Wednesday night.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Guard Tre Johnson set The University of Texas freshman single-game scoring record with 39 points, but the Longhorns (16-12, 5-10 SEC) dropped a hard-fought 86-81 overtime decision at Arkansas (17-11, 6-9 SEC) on Wednesday night. This marked the first matchup in Fayetteville between the two former Southwest Conference rivals since Jan. 5, 2010.
Johnson broke the previous freshman single-game scoring mark of 37 points, set four times by Kevin Durant during the 2006-07 season and once by Terrence Rencher in 1991-92. Johnson converted a career-best 14-of-28 field goals, including a career-high 7-of-11 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 free throws to go along with four assists and two steals in 38 minutes.
Johnson reached the 30-point mark for the third time this season. He eclipsed his previous season high of 32 points set in the home victory over No. 15/18 Kentucky on Feb. 15. Senior Arthur Kaluma recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in 37 minutes, and graduate Kadin Shedrick added 12 points (4-6 FG, 1-1 threes, 3-4 FT), eight boards, three assists and one block in 29 minutes.
After a Johnson floater in the lane gave the Longhorns an early 7-6 advantage at the 16:58 mark, the Razorbacks responded with a 10-0 spurt over the next two-plus minutes to grab a 16-7 cushion following a Karter Knox three-pointer with 14:35 remaining. Texas answered with a 7-2 run over the next four minutes to trim the margin to 18-14 after a Devon Pryor dunk at the 10:41 mark.
A Kaluma jumper pulled the Longhorns to within 23-18 with 6:49 left, but Arkansas responded with an 8-0 spurt to grab a 31-18 cushion following a Trevon Brazile layup at the 5:27 mark. Texas scored six-straight points to cut the deficit to 31-24 after a Johnson layup with 4:01 remaining. A Kaluma layup trimmed the margin to 37-30 at the 1:09 mark, but the Razorbacks scored the final five points to close the half and took a 42-30 lead into the break.
The Longhorns cut the deficit to 50-43 following a Johnson three-pointer at the 13:08 mark. Arkansas used a 7-0 run over the next three minutes to increase its cushion to 57-43 after a D.J. Wagner three-pointer with 10:15 remaining. A Zvonimir Ivisic three-pointer gave the Razorbacks a 64-52 advantage at the 7:14 mark, before Texas scored six-straight points to pull to within 64-58 following a Shedrick free throw with 4:45 left.
After a Jonas Aidoo jump hook pushed the cushion to 66-58 at the 4:28 mark, the Longhorns went on an 11-2 run over the next three-plus minutes to take a 69-68 lead with 1:11 left. Wagner hit 1-of-2 free throws with eight seconds left to even the score, and Johnson missed a runner at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
Johnson, who scored all 12 of UT's points in overtime, gave the Longhorns a 74-71 advantage after a driving layup with 3:55 remaining. The Razorbacks scored eight-straight points to take a 79-74 lead following a Wagner layup at the 1:04 mark. Texas trimmed the margin to just two points twice in the closing 20 seconds but could not get any closer, as Arkansas hit 7-of-8 free throws in the final 24 seconds to seal the win.
Texas returns to the court when it hosts Georgia on Saturday, March 1. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT at Moody Center, and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
Texas Basketball Postgame Notes
Arkansas 86, Texas 81 (OT)
February 26, 2025
Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Attendance: 19,200
Team Notes
- Today's contest marked the first matchup played in Fayetteville between the two former Southwest Conference rivals since Jan. 5, 2010 (Texas won 96-85).
- This marked the first overtime game of the season for the Longhorns.
- Texas dropped to 2-5 in overtime contests against Arkansas in series history.
- The game featured five lead changes and four ties.
- Trailing 42-30 at the half, the Longhorns recorded a 39-27 scoring margin in the second half to force overtime. Texas held the Razorbacks to 39.3-percent (11-28) from the floor in the second 20 minutes.
- Texas trailed by as much as 14 points (57-43) with 10:15 remaining in regulation.
- The Longhorns registered a 39-34 rebound margin, including a 10-6 edge on the offensive glass.
- Set the Texas freshman single-game scoring record (39 points); eclipsed previous mark of 37 set four times by Kevin Durant in 2006-07 and once by Terrence Rencher in 1991-92
- Set his career highs in scoring (game-high 39 points), field goals made (14-28) and three-point field goals made (7-11)
- Reached the 30-point mark for the third time in his career (26 games)
- Topped the 20-point mark for the 12th time in his career
- Reached double figures in scoring for the 25th time in his career
- Recorded a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) for the seventh time this year (26 games) and 15th time in his career (127 games)
- Reached double figures in scoring for the 20th time this season and 88th time in his career
- Reached double digits in rebounds for the ninth time this year and 18th time in his career
- Set his season high in assists (5) and did not commit a turnover in 35 minutes of action
- Set his season high in minutes (34)
- Reached double figures in scoring (12 points) for the 12th time this year (28 games) and 45th time in his career (136 games)
