Could Texas basketball be on the verge of some needed momentum? After playing six of the nine SEC teams with at least a .500 record in league play in the first half of their conference schedule, the Longhorns (13-9, 4-5 SEC) only face three teams with a winning conference record in the second half of their SEC slate.
That group includes South Carolina (11-11, 2-7), which visits Austin Tuesday in a 6 p.m. game.
Article continues below this ad
Texas hopes to build on Saturday’s road win at Oklahoma, when star forward Dailyn Swain (18 points, 10 rebounds) and a big game from the Longhorns’ bench helped them pull away for a 79-69 victory. The Gamecocks, who are coming off an overtime home loss Saturday to LSU, lean heavily on sixth-year senior point guard Meechie Johnson (15.6 points, 4.2 assists) and a scrappy man-to-man defense.
Texas shook off a sluggish start to seize a 35-31 halftime lead.
Follow below for live scores and updates Tuesday as the Texas Longhorns host the South Carolina Gamecocks.
MORE: Texas basketball: Top recruit Austin Goosby named McDonald’s All-American
Article continues below this ad
MORE: Why Texas basketball coach Sean Miller has kept the faith in his bench
Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) celebrates scoring under pressure during the second half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
It wasn’t pretty, but Texas takes the lead into the break. The Longhorns are shooing just 30.8% from the floor compared to 44% for SC but are getting to the foul line (15-of-21). A 21-13 edge on the glass helps; Matas Vokietaitis (8 points, 6 rebounds) and Dailyn Swain (7 points, 4 rebounds) are punishing the Gamecocks in the paint. SC point guard Meechie Johnson has been the best player on the court with 15 points and three assists.
Article continues below this ad
Texas is shooting 29.2% from the floor but is trying to close this half strong and take a lead into the locker room. Dominance on the glass helps; Texas is winning that board battle 20-12.
Texas takes its first lead of the game on a pair of free throws by senior forward Lassina Traore. He’s given Texas some juice off the bench. Matas Vokietaitis leads Texas with eight points and five rebounds while SC’s Meechi Johnson leads all players with 13 points.
Article continues below this ad
Texas closed to within one after an 8-0 run but can’t get over the hump. Dailyn Swain has been quiet for Texas with two points on one shot attempt; the Longhorns may need their leading scorer to get more aggressive on the offensive end.
South Carolina is having its way when it gets into the paint. The Gamecocks are 7-of-11 from the floor and have 12 points in the paint. Who can give Texas a spark on either end of the court?
Article continues below this ad
Maybe the Texas offense is stuck on 35 in rush hour. The Longhorns open the game 1-of-8 from the floor compared to 5-of-7 shooting by South Carolina. Matas Vokietaitis has all four of the Texas points.
EJ Walker lays in a bucket for South Carolina, and they’re finally on the board here at Moody.
Article continues below this ad
G Jordan Pope (12.9 ppg, 2.3 apg)
G Tramon Mark (12.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Article continues below this ad
F Camden Heide (7.0 ppg, 2,.7 rpg)
F Dailyn Swain (17.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
P Matas Vokietaitis (14.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
Article continues below this ad
G Kobe Knox (10.1ppg, 3.5 rpg)
G Meechie Johnson (15.6 ppg, 4.2 apg)
G Mike Sharavjamts (11.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
F EJ Walker (3.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Article continues below this ad
F Myles Stute (7.2 ppg, 4.3)
Where:Â Moody Center, Austin
Article continues below this ad
TV/radio:Â ESPN+; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM
Line: Texas is favored by 13½; total of 149½
 Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
Article continues below this ad