Longhorns Survive First Four Contest

DAYTON, Ohio — Graduate guard Tramon Mark hit a game-winning jumper from the right wing with 1.1 seconds left to lift Texas (19-14) to a 68-66 victory over NC State (20-14) in a NCAA Tournament First Four contest at University of Dayton Arena on Tuesday night. With the win, the Longhorns advance to the NCAA West Region First Round and will face No. 6 seed BYU in Portland on Thursday, March 19 at 6:25 p.m. Central (4:25 p.m. Pacific) on TBS.

Mark’s Clutch Performance

Mark recorded his fifth career collegiate game-winning basket. He previously had two game-winners while at Houston, one while at Arkansas and now two during his time at Texas. Mark posted a team-high 17 points while converting 7-of-14 field goals (2-5 threes) and adding five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 33 minutes. This one is definitely [best] for me,” Mark said. The way the game was going, the way the game felt, we had a big lead, they started making some shots. And then I was able to silence the crowd with a big shot like that.“

Key Contributors for Texas

Senior Chendall Weaver registered his first career double-double with 11 points (3-5 FG, 5-6 FT), a career-high-tying 10 rebounds (four offensive) and two steals in 27 minutes. Sophomore Matas Vokietaitis registered 15 points and eight rebounds (four offensive) in 26 minutes, and junior Dailyn Swain added 13 points (8-9 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes.

Game Recap

Texas used an early 9-0 run to jump out to a 9-2 advantage following a Camden Heath three-pointer. NC State trimmed the margin to 12-9 before the Longhorns responded with a 13-6 spurt to build a 25-15 cushion.

NC State scored six-straight points to cut the deficit to 25-21, but Texas increased its advantage to 30-23. The Wolf Pack closed the half on a 6-0 run to pull to within 30-29 at the break.

NC State took its first lead since the opening minute after a Paul McNeil Jr. Three-pointer, but the Longhorns answered with a 7-0 spurt to grab a 39-34 advantage. Texas increased its cushion to 49-42, but the Wolf Pack used a 7-1 run to close to within 50-49.

The Longhorns built a 62-53 lead, but NC State went on a 13-3 run to even the score at 66-66. That set the stage for Mark’s heroics, as he drove the ball from the top of the key to the right wing and raised up from 18 feet for the game-winner.

Team Notes

• With the win, Texas advances to the NCAA West Region First Round and will face No. 6 seed BYU on Thursday, March 19 in Portland.
• Tramon Mark’s game-winner marked his fourth career game winner with less than five seconds remaining.
• Texas improved to 41-42 all-time in 40 NCAA Tournament appearances.
• UT limited NC State to 66 points on 39.0-percent shooting.
• The Longhorns won the rebound battle by a plus-12 margin (45-33).