Mar 19, 2026, 10:17 PM ET<\/p>\n
PORTLAND, Ore. — Matas Vokietaitis<\/a> had 23 points and 16 rebounds, and No. 11 seed Texas<\/a> knocked off sixth-seeded BYU<\/a> 79-71 on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming 35 points from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa<\/a>.<\/p>\n After needing to beat N.C. State<\/a> on Tuesday in the First Four just to reach the first round, Texas (19-14) advanced to face either third-seeded Gonzaga<\/a> or No. 14 seed Kennesaw State<\/a> on Saturday in the West Regional.<\/p>\n “One word I would use to describe our group is resilient,” Texas coach Sean Miller said. “As we entered this tournament in Dayton, I think all of us up here really came to grips with, you know, let’s really go out playing at the highest level we can, sticking together.”<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Dybantsa played every minute of the game but it wasn’t enough as BYU (23-12) had its season – and perhaps his college career – come to an end. Dybantsa was two points shy of tying BYU’s NCAA tournament record for points in a game, held by Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette.<\/p>\n “We understood that he has the ability to score like nobody else. But what we talked about was a jump shot by him was a victory for us,” Miller said. “What we couldn’t afford was that he puts Dailyn (Swain) in great foul trouble or he fouls our entire team out.”<\/p>\n The freshman who led the nation in scoring with 25.3 points per game will be a candidate for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft if he leaves school.<\/p>\n “I love this place. I’m happy I chose here, I definitely made the right decision,” Dybantsa said of his season at BYU. “As far as the season, it’s tough dealing with adversity, but I’d rather do it with nobody else.”<\/p>\n