Austin, Texas: No. 7 Texas Routs Chicago State 109-59 in Season Opener

No. 7 Texas opened its season with a 109-59 win over Chicago State on Monday night at the Moody Center in Austin, a wire to wire rout built on perfect shooting from its starting center and a first half that settled the game early.

Perfect night for Vokietaitis

Matas Vokietaitis scored 22 points and made all nine of his shots from the field. The 7 foot center added six rebounds, and 14 of his points came in the second half. He did his damage around the rim, where Texas controlled the game from the opening minutes.

Texas scored the first five points, on a three pointer from Austin Goosby and a layup by David Punch, before Mike Price put Chicago State on the board. Texas took a 26-8 lead eight minutes into the game and led 56-30 at halftime. The Longhorns shot 62.5 percent from the field and made 13 three pointers. They never trailed, and the win was their 25th straight in a home opener.

Five Longhorns in double figures

Isaiah Johnson scored 18 points in his first game for Texas. Freshman Joe Sterling added 14 points, including four of the team total of 13 three pointers. Freshman Marcus Spears Jr. had 11 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots off the bench, and Amari Evans also scored 11. Five Longhorns reached double figures, and ten players scored in all.

Texas began the season with its highest ranking since the team entered the 2021-22 season at No. 5. The Longhorns reached the Sweet 16 last season, the first under coach Sean Miller, and Monday opened his second season in Austin. Texas played without guard Mikey Lewis, who had foot surgery in early October after transferring from Saint Mary's.

Chicago State overmatched

Will Lovings-Watts led Chicago State with 13 points, and Mike Price scored 12. The Cougars were picked to finish eighth in the nine team Northeast Conference in a preseason poll, and the gap showed early. Chicago State shot 39.3 percent and committed 15 turnovers, 12 of them in the first half.

What is next

Texas stays at the Moody Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Gardner-Webb, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus. Chicago State travels to San Antonio on Thursday, Nov. 5, to face Incarnate Word.