Following the last-second loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns were back on the court at the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday.
Shaka Smart’s squad would be a bit shorthanded in this game as Kai Jones, Brock Cunningham, and Greg Brown would not be available. Kamaka Hepa would be inserted in the starting lineup in place of the missing Brown.
It was close relatively early on in this game for both teams before the Longhorns blew it open in with a 15-0 run to go up 27-12 midway through the first half. The Longhorns overall were shooting above 50 percent from the floor while the Kansas State Wildcats couldn’t buy a bucket. They shot 28 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes as the Horns led 44-24 at the break.
One of the great moments of the first half involved the Longhorns welcoming back Jase Febres for the first time this season. He would nail his first three-point shot since he was shut down last season due to injury. It was a welcomed sight and he would provide some defense for Smart throughout the game.
Ramey to Sims off the backboard. They are just toying with em pic.twitter.com/QXkCSiihld
— Patrick (@PatSportsGuy) January 17, 2021
Overall, four of five starters would score double digits in the game. Andrew Jones once again led the way for Texas with 19 points. Kamaka Hepa would add 15 points, all of which came from behind the arc. He hit a career-high five three-point shots.
Jericho SLAM 😤#HookEm pic.twitter.com/pIeHUJlDMi
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 17, 2021
Jericho Sims added 14 points and seven rebounds, Courtney Ramey would also score 14 points with nine assists on the night. Overall a good night for Texas, but they did allow Kansas State to score late in the second half after the game was well in hand. Texas will travel to Ames for a date with the Iowa State Cyclones on Wednesday.