AUSTIN, Texas — Freshman Tre Johnson showcased an impressive performance, scoring a personal best of 32 points, while senior Tramon Mark contributed significantly with 26 points. This combined effort led the Texas Longhorns to a narrow victory over the No. 15 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, with a final score of 82-78, thus ending Texas’s three-game losing streak.

The Longhorns, now holding a record of 16-10 and 5-8 within the Southeastern Conference, found themselves trailing 69-64 with less than four minutes left in the game. However, they rallied back with a remarkable 14-1 run. Johnson and Mark were crucial during this turnaround, scoring 12 out of the 14 points, which allowed Texas to take a decisive 78-70 lead with just 34 seconds on the clock.

Although Johnson struggled with his outside shooting, making only 1 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc, he excelled in other areas by netting 10 baskets from inside the line and converting 9 of 10 free throws. Mark, on the other hand, was more successful from distance, sinking three 3-pointers throughout the contest.

For Kentucky (17-8, 6-6), Otega Oweh emerged as the leading scorer with 20 points, while Amari Williams contributed an impressive 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Wildcats, known for their proficiency in shooting from the 3-point line at a rate of 38%, struggled significantly against Texas, hitting only 6 out of 24 attempts.

Key takeaways from the game highlighted challenges for both teams. Kentucky was missing two key starters, with Jaxson Robinson sidelined due to a right wrist injury and Lamont Butler out with a shoulder issue. Texas also faced difficulties, as Arthur Kaluma, their leading rebounder and second overall scorer, could not participate due to a knee concern. Jayson Kent stepped into the starting role in Kaluma’s absence and managed to grab eight rebounds.

A pivotal moment in the game was when Johnson, despite missing an initial layup, secured his own rebound, followed by another layup along with a free throw, contributing to Texas’s vital 14-1 scoring surge. Johnson’s overall performance included nine rebounds.

A notable statistic emerged from the game, where Kentucky, which typically averages only 10 turnovers per game, committed 15 against Texas. This lapse allowed Texas to score 21 points off turnovers, including a notable advantage in fast-break opportunities where they led 16-10.

Looking ahead, Kentucky is set to host Vanderbilt next Wednesday, while Texas will travel to South Carolina for their upcoming match on Saturday.