Vokietaitis Powers Dominant Start
The No. 7 Texas Longhorns opened their 2026-27 season with a commanding 109-59 victory over the Chicago State Cougars on Monday, November 2, at Moody Center in Austin. The home squad, which entered the contest ranked seventh, established a commanding lead early and never relinquished control, finishing with a 1-0 record.
Chicago State, traveling from the West, dropped to 0-1 after the lopsided defeat in front of a crowd of 10,892 fans.
Matas Vokietaitis was the offensive engine for Texas, scoring a team-high 22 points. He complemented his scoring with efficient play in the paint, converting multiple dunks and layups throughout the contest. The Longhorns' depth was evident as well, with Austin Goosby dishing out eight assists to keep the offense moving smoothly.
Amari Evans anchored the frontcourt with seven rebounds, securing the glass in a game where Texas dominated the statistical categories. The team’s ability to score in transition and from beyond the arc was a defining feature of their performance.
Chicago State Struggles Offensively
Chicago State found it difficult to generate consistent offense against the Texas defense. Will Lovings-Watts led the Cougars in scoring with 13 points, providing a spark for the visitors. He also contributed three rebounds, offering a physical presence in the paint.
Mike Price played a crucial role in the backcourt, recording five assists to help orchestrate the team’s plays. Despite these individual efforts, the Cougars could not overcome the gap in talent and execution that Texas displayed throughout the game.
