Texas looks to rebound and take another step back toward the Top 25 when it hosts New Mexico State on Thursday in Austin, Texas.
The Longhorns (7-2) have four nonconference games remaining before starting Southeastern Conference play with the new year. Texas lost to two-time defending champion UConn 76-65 at home on Sunday to snap a seven-game winning streak as freshman Tre Johnson’s 24 points were not enough to overcome a ragged first half.
Arthur Kaluma added 20 points and nine rebounds in the loss, but he and Johnson were the only Texas players who scored more than six points. The Longhorns trailed by 18 points at halftime and never got closer than eight points in the second half.
“The SEC ain’t no joke,” Kaluma opined. “Losses like (the one to UConn) help us build and look back on the film and see what we really need to improve on. We have to learn a lot from that game, and I feel like we’re only going to be better for it.”
Johnson continued his stellar freshman campaign. He has either led or tied for the team’s leading scorer in all nine of his collegiate games.
The Aggies (4-5) head to Austin after an 89-83 overtime road win over New Mexico on Saturday. Christian Cook led New Mexico State with 27 points while Robert Carpenter scored 20 as the Aggies snapped a five-game losing streak.
New Mexico State overcame 17 turnovers and 20 fouls, scoring 10 of the first 12 points in the extra period and easily holding on for the victory.
“To snap a big (losing streak), it don’t matter who you’re playing,” Aggies coach Jason Hooten said. “Any win is good at that point. But I know how much (a victory over the Lobos) means to everybody.”
The Thursday dustup is the fifth all-time between the teams in a series that dates to 1979 and the first since November 2007. The Longhorns won three of the previous four meetings.
–Field Level Media
