Austin Celebrates a Stunning Victory: Longhorns Dominate New Orleans
AUSTIN, Texas — Last night at the Moody Center, the Texas Longhorns basketball team put on a show that fans won’t soon forget! Junior guard Jordan Pope lit up the scoreboard with a jaw-dropping performance, scoring a career-high 42 points to lead Texas (10-2) to a commanding 98-62 victory over the New Orleans Privateers (2-8). This amazing feat not only set a new Moody Center individual record but also tied for the seventh most points in a single game in Texas program history.
Pope Makes History
Pope was simply unstoppable, hitting 15-of-21 field goals, with a scorching 8-of-12 from beyond the arc and landing 4-of-5 from the free-throw line in just 33 minutes. His remarkable shooting performance included six three-pointers in the second half, which tied him for the second-most threes made in a single half in UT history. It’s safe to say that last night, he was the player to watch!
Support from Senior Leadership
But Pope wasn’t alone in this triumph. Senior forward Arthur Kaluma notched his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. He also contributed with three assists and two blocks, making crucial plays that helped keep the momentum on Texas’ side. Junior Chendall Weaver added 12 points and five rebounds in a solid effort to bolster the team’s success.
Team Performance
The Longhorns showed an impressive offensive display throughout the game. They shot 54.8% from the floor (34-62), including a strong 52.0% from three-point territory (13-25). The second half was especially fruitful for Texas, with a whopping shooting percentage of 60% from the field (18-30) and another 60% on threes (9-15). Even more impressive? The team maintained sharp ball control, with only six turnovers—a season-low!
Dominating from the Start
Right from the opening tip-off, Texas took control of the game, establishing an impressive 16-0 lead before the Privateers managed to score. New Orleans finally got on the scoreboard nearly eight minutes into the game with a jumper from JR Jacobs. The Privateers fought back with some momentum, pulling as close as 21-15 at one stage, but the Longhorns responded quickly to extend the gap again.
Texas ended the first half with a 44-28 advantage, following a solid run led by Pope. But New Orleans was determined and came back to cut the deficit to 48-38 early in the second half. However, that’s when the Longhorns really found their rhythm, going on an explosive 34-3 run over an eight-minute span that sealed the victory, sky-rocketing the lead to 94-50!
Looking Ahead
With this exhilarating win, the Longhorns head into a 10-day break for the holidays. They’ll be back in action against the Northwestern State on Sunday, Dec. 29, ready to keep the momentum rolling. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. Central at the Moody Center, so mark your calendars!
Overall, it was a night filled with excitement, spectacular plays, and team spirit, proving once again why college basketball is so beloved. Fans are already buzzing with anticipation for what’s next! Who knows what records will be shattered next!
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
