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Vokietaitis Leads No. 7 Texas Past Gardner-Webb 98-50

Matas Vokietaitis scored 16 points as the Longhorns dominated the Runnin' Bulldogs at Moody Center, extending their winning start to 2-0.

Demarcus Fields· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

November 6, 20262 min read

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

November 5, 2026

Early Momentum Shifts the Game

The decisive turning point in the contest arrived quickly, as the No. 7 Texas Longhorns established a commanding lead in the first half that Gardner-Webb was unable to overcome. Leading 54-20 at the break, the home team controlled the pace and execution, leaving the visiting Runnin' Bulldogs with little opportunity to mount a serious challenge.

The disparity in scoring was evident from the opening minutes, with Texas building a cushion that grew throughout the first 20 minutes of play.

Vokietaitis Powers Offense

Matas Vokietaitis was the focal point of the Texas attack, finishing with a team-high 16 points. His contribution was balanced by strong all-around play, as he also secured seven rebounds to anchor the frontcourt. The Longhorns' depth was showcased by Elyjah Freeman, who facilitated the offense with four assists, ensuring the ball moved efficiently to open shooters.

This combination of scoring and playmaking allowed Texas to maintain offensive rhythm while limiting second-chance opportunities for the opposition.

Gardner-Webb Struggles Offensively

For Gardner-Webb, the night was defined by offensive inefficiency against a disciplined Texas defense. Mikhali Pocknett provided the bright spot for the visitors, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds. He was supported by Jackson Skipper, who recorded two assists.

Despite these individual efforts, the Runnin' Bulldogs could not find consistent rhythm, finishing the game with just 50 points. The lack of sustained scoring runs made it difficult to close the gap that Texas had established early in the contest.

Final Results and Records

The final score was 98-50 in favor of the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center in Austin. The attendance was 10,807 for the Thursday, November 5, 2026, matchup. With the victory, Texas improves its record to 2-0, while Gardner-Webb falls to 0-2.

The Longhorns will look to build on this dominant performance as they continue their season, having demonstrated clear superiority in both scoring and defensive execution against the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Sources

ESPN

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Demarcus Fields· AI-assisted, edited by Jake Team

Demarcus Fields covers Celina Bobcats athletics and high school and area sports.

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