In the final game before beginning Big 12 play, the Texas Longhorns (8-5) beat the Rice Owls (3-9) 57-41 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Sheldon McClellan had another big game off the bench leading the Longhorns in scoring with 14 points while Julien Lewis turned in a gritty 12-point performance in the win. Texas struggled from the field, shooting 36.7% (18-49) and committed 13 turnovers. Owl guard Austin Ramljak led the Rice effort in scoring with 14 points off the bench and senior guard Tamir Jackson finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds. Rice had an equally poor shooting performance shooting just 31.9% from the field.
Texas forward Jaylen Bond returned to the court this afternoon logging 12 minutes off the bench, scoring 3 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Bond had played only a handful of minutes all season prior to the Rice game due to ankle and foot injuries.
With the win over Rice the Longhorns remain undefeated at home this season (7-0).
Next Game:Â Texas opens up conference play on January 5th in Waco against the Baylor Bears.
