AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Matas Vokitatis scored 22 points and eight rebounds, Jordan Pope hit five 3-pointers and scored 21 points and Texas never trailed in a 94-71 victory over Eastern Shore Maryland on Monday night.
Waukitaitis, a 7-foot sophomore transfer from Florida Atlantic University, hit 4-of-5 shooting from the field and tied 14 of 21 free throw attempts, a career-high. Dayn Swain tied his career best with 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, and Tramon Mark scored 17 points for Texas (9-4).
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Joseph Locandro hit three 3-pointers and scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting before fouling out with about seven minutes left for Maryland Eastern Shore (4-13). Jaden Cooper scored 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Zion O’Banla scored 10 points.
The Eagles have lost seven straight.
Pope hit a three-pointer, and the Longhorns forced a 10-second violation. Only 22 seconds later, Pope hit another three-pointer, setting off a 10-2 spurt, chasing the score to 29-18 with 8 minutes and 18 seconds left in the first half.
Locandro’s layup in the second half made the score 40-36, but Waukitaitis scored six points in a row and launched a 12-2 run to permanently expand the lead to double digits. With 15 minutes and 42 seconds left in the game, Swain’s fast break dunk gave the Longhorns a 52-38 lead.
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Texas shot 53 percent from the field (28 of 53) and set season highs in free throw percentage (31 attempts) and free throw percentage (42 attempts).
Next
Maryland East Coast will host Morgan State University in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener on Jan. 3.
Texas will host Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference opener on Jan. 3.
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