AUSTIN, Texas — Alex Karaban made a notable comeback for the UConn Huskies, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to help secure a 76-65 victory over Texas on Sunday after sitting out two games due to a concussion.
In addition to Karaban’s impressive performance, Solo Ball contributed significantly with 16 points, including four three-pointers, as UConn (7-3) achieved its first win on the road this season. Teammates Samson Johnson and Tarris Reed Jr. also added 12 points each, while Hassan Diarra effectively orchestrated the offense with 11 assists.
For Texas (7-2), freshman Tre Johnson was the standout player, scoring 24 points. Arthur Kaluma supported him with 20 points and nine rebounds.
UConn started strong, building a 20-point lead early in the second half and maintaining a 15-point advantage with just under four minutes remaining. Although Kaluma hit a three-pointer to bring the Longhorns within eight with 1:15 left, they were unable to capitalize further as they did not score again.
Takeaways from the game indicate that UConn, featuring four new starters, has had difficulty defending against perimeter attacks by opponents. Texas displayed a marked improvement in their shooting percentage, going from 31% in the first half to 54.2% in the second. However, UConn consistently found answers to keep Texas’ comeback efforts at bay.
This match was particularly significant for Texas, providing a chance to showcase their skills against a well-regarded opponent on national television. Unfortunately, the Longhorns struggled early, missing eight of their first nine attempts and failing to mount a serious challenge in the game.
A key moment unfolded as Johnson scored eight points within five minutes, narrowing the gap to 10 points for Texas with nine minutes remaining. UConn’s Ball quickly quashed any momentum the Longhorns were building with a timely three-pointer, restoring order for his team.
Statistics tell part of the story as UConn registered 21 assists on 28 baskets, significantly outperforming Texas, which logged just eight assists. This level of ball movement contributed to UConn’s dominant 38-18 advantage in points scored in the paint.
Looking ahead, UConn is set to face No. 7 Gonzaga on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, while Texas will host New Mexico State on Thursday.