Austin – #9 Texas faced Long Beach State for the eighth time in the all-time series between the two schools with the Longhorns holding a 4-3 advantage over the 49ers. The two last met in 2009 and Rick Barnes got the better of Dan Monson’s team 107-74.
Javan Felix scored a season high 17 points off the bench and Cameron Ridley turned in a 13-point performance on Saturday’s 78-68 win over the 49ers. Jonathan Holmes delivered 14 points in 19 minutes played to help Texas improve to a perfect 7-0 record at home.
Long Beach State held ground with Texas most of the night and eventually took a 52-50 lead at the under thirteen mark in the second half, their first lead since the 18:38 mark in the first quarter.
The Longhorns would eventually pull away from the 49ers, courtesy of Jonathan Holmes, who scored 6 straight points to give the Longhorns a 77-65 lead with 1:51 left in the game. Long Beach guard Mike Caffey would add a 3-pointer and Demarcus Holland would add a free throw for Texas, resulting in a 78-68 win for Rick Barnes and the Longhorns.
Mike Caffey led all scorers with 23 points.
Texas turned the ball over 15 times compared to 9 turnovers by the 49ers.
The Longhorns have won 31 straight vs. non-conference opponents at home and improve to 10-1 overall on the season.
Up next for Texas is the Stanford Cardinal (6-2) on December 23 at the Erwin Center.
Game Highlights: