Texas Dominates Gardner-Webb 98-50 Behind Vokietaitis

A Decisive Home Victory

The Texas Longhorns established total control early and never looked back, securing a lopsided 98-50 victory over the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at the Moody Center. The win, achieved on Thursday, November 5, 2026, improved Texas’s record to 2-0, while Gardner-Webb fell to 0-2.

First Half Dominance

Texas set the tone immediately, jumping out to a significant lead in the opening period. The Longhorns’ offense was efficient and relentless, building a commanding margin that Gardner-Webb could not breach. Texas scored 54 points in the first half compared to Gardner-Webb’s 20.

Matas Vokietaitis was instrumental in this early surge, finishing with a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds. His presence inside the paint forced defensive adjustments that opened up opportunities for teammates. David Punch also contributed significantly with multiple dunks and free throws, helping extend Texas’s lead throughout the half.

Gardner-Webb struggled to find consistent offense against Texas’s defense. The Bulldogs managed only 20 points in the first half, with Mikhali Pocknett leading their scoring effort with 12 points and five rebounds. Despite some individual efforts, including three-point shooting from Jamias Ferere and Austin Goosby, Gardner-Webb could not match the pace or intensity set by the host team.

Second Half Consolidation

The second half saw Texas maintain its dominance, outscoring Gardner-Webb 44-30. The Longhorns continued to attack the basket and capitalize on turnovers, further widening the gap. Matas Vokietaitis added more points in the second period, reinforcing his status as the standout performer.

Elyjah Freeman directed the Texas offense effectively, dishing out four assists to keep the ball moving and create high-percentage shots. His leadership was evident in the team’s cohesive play, which prevented Gardner-Webb from mounting any serious comeback attempts.

Gardner-Webb’s Jackson Skipper contributed two assists but could not halt Texas’s momentum. The Bulldogs’ defense remained porous, allowing Texas to score freely from various positions on the floor. The final margin of 48 points reflected the comprehensive nature of Texas’s performance.

Records and Outlook

With this decisive win, Texas moves to 2-0 on the season, demonstrating strong offensive execution and defensive discipline at home. Gardner-Webb, now 0-2, faces challenges in finding consistency against higher-level competition. The game highlighted the disparity in skill and preparation between the two teams, with Texas proving too much for Gardner-Webb to handle from start to finish.

Sources

ESPN