AUSTIN, Texas — Tre Johnson made a strong return to the Texas basketball team, scoring 18 points and leading the Longhorns to a decisive 77-53 victory over Northwestern State, effectively wrapping up their nonconference slate on Sunday.

Johnson, a freshman who has been averaging over 19 points per game, was absent during the previous match against Southern due to a right hip injury. He came back with impressive stats, hitting 7 of 11 attempts from the field, including 4 of 7 from three-point range, while also contributing four assists to the team’s effort.

The Longhorns (11-2) quickly surged ahead, establishing an 8-0 lead and dominating the first half with a score of 41-22. Texas showcased their shooting prowess, achieving 50% efficiency overall with 27 successful shots out of 54 attempts and finding the mark on 11 of 25 three-point attempts.

For Texas, Jordan Pope added 11 points by sinking 3 of 8 from beyond the arc, while Arthur Kaluma excelled defensively with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots.

In contrast, Northwestern State (5-7) struggled offensively, with their starting lineup contributing only five points, connecting on just 2 of 22 shots. Micah Thomas emerged from the bench to score their opening points, finishing with 19 points while hitting 3 of 6 from three-point range. Addison Patterson also made an impact off the bench, scoring 18 points with 8 successful shots out of 18 attempts. As a team, the Demons managed to shoot 21 for 55 from the field, including a challenging 3 of 17 from three-point territory, and converted just 8 of their 17 free throw attempts.

Looking ahead, Texas is about to face a challenging stretch in their schedule, starting with their first five Southeastern Conference games against ranked opponents. Their SEC journey kicks off against No. 13 Texas A&M on January 4, followed by high-profile matches at home against No. 2 Auburn and No. 1 Tennessee, along with away games against No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 6 Florida.