NEW YORK — In a thrilling encounter at the UKG Legends Classic, the Texas Longhorns managed to hold off a late surge by the Syracuse Orange, winning the game 70-66 despite facing an uphill battle in the second half. Tre Johnson, who had struggled to find his rhythm throughout the game, made crucial contributions down the stretch by scoring Texas’ final six points, all coming from the free-throw line.
The Longhorns, now sporting a 4-1 record, are set to clash with the winner of the late game featuring Texas Tech and Saint Joseph’s on Friday for the tournament championship. The Orange, with a 3-1 record, will have a chance to compete against the losing team from that matchup.
Johnson, a freshman known for his scoring prowess with an average of 23.5 points per game, encountered challenges during the game, finishing with a total of 16 points on a rough 4-of-18 shooting evening, including a disappointing 1 of 7 from beyond the arc. However, his 7 of 8 performance from the free-throw line proved vital. Alongside him, Arthur Kaluma posted a double-double, contributing 16 points along with 10 rebounds. Chendall Weaver was also instrumental, adding 10 points and nine rebounds, while the team as a whole maintained a shooting percentage of 47% and converted 12 out of 14 free-throw attempts.
On the opposing side, Syracuse had solid performances from J.J. Starling, who led the team with 16 points, while Eddie Lampkin chipped in with 14 points and six assists. Chris Bell and Jyare Davis also made their marks, contributing 11 points each. The Orange displayed a shooting percentage of 46%, but their struggles from the free-throw line were evident, as they made only 9 of 18 attempts.
As the game reached its final moments, Texas held a slim one-point margin with just a minute remaining. Johnson stepped up for the Longhorns, sinking crucial free throws, including two pivotal shots that expanded their lead to five points with 21.3 seconds left. While Starling managed to net a jumper and teammate Jaquan Carlos converted 1 of 2 free throws to cut into the lead, Johnson returned to the line to secure the victory with 9.3 seconds on the clock.
The Longhorns started strong, scoring the game’s first nine points and building a commanding lead of 16 during the first half. They entered halftime ahead by 11 points after Syracuse trimmed the margin to 41-30. Texas exhibited remarkable shooting in the initial period, hitting 61% of their shots.
With a heart-stopping finish and crucial plays from key players, Texas emerged victorious, ensuring a place in the tournament finals while Syracuse prepares to regroup for their next contest.