Longhorns improve to 5-2 with win over Rattlers
It was a messy first half for the Longhorns, filled with turnovers and missed shots. That allowed the visiting Florida A&M Rattlers (1-7) to capitalize, and they responded with gusto, trailing by only 9 points at halftime with a score of 35-26 in Texas’s favor.
Shaka Smart and his team made the necessary halftime adjustments and did not look back. Texas shot better in the second half, 75% from the floor, and didn’t allow the Rattlers many open shots, instead forcing them to shoot from deep.
Poor shooting from the Rattlers and defense in the paint that was drastically better in the second half, allowed the Longhorns to prevail.
Dylan Osetkowski led the game for the Longhorns, finishing with 19 points on 8/11 shooting and 8 rebounds. Mo Bamba finished with 8 rebounds as well, along with 10 points, four blocks and an assist. Andrew Jones had another fine offensive day, finishing the game with 14 points on 6/8 shooting. Kerwin Roach II finished with 11 points on 5/7 shots with a pair of rebounds and 3 assists.
The 3-point shot continues to elude the ‘Horns, as they finished shooting a harsh 21.1% from outside the arc, and 45.5% from the free-throw line. Texas must improve in this area if they want to make a splash in the Big 12 this season, particularly if this team wants to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament later down the line.
Texas (5-2) returns to action next Tuesday when they travel to Stuart C. Siegel Center to play VCU (4-3) and Texas head coach Shaka Smart’s former team.
Texas vs. VCU will be televised on ESPN2 at 6 P.M.
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