Texas Men’s Basketball Defeats HCU in Dominant Home Opener
In a thrilling and high-energy home opener at the Frank Erwin Center on Tuesday night, the Texas Longhorns basketball team made a strong statement, defeating Houston Christian University (HCU) 90-59. The game was never truly in doubt, as Texas showed why they are poised to be one of the top teams in the Big 12, with a well-rounded team effort that saw multiple players contribute to the victory.
From the opening tip, Texas came out firing on all cylinders. After a solid preseason, the Longhorns looked sharp in front of their home crowd, utilizing their athleticism and depth to overwhelm the Huskies. The game’s tempo was set early, with Texas pushing the ball up the floor quickly and getting into transition, where they excelled. On the other end, HCU struggled to match the physicality and defensive intensity of the Longhorns, particularly inside the paint, where Texas dominated.
Tyrese Hunter, the Longhorns’ standout point guard, was the catalyst for the offense, scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists. His ability to penetrate the defense and set up his teammates for easy looks was on full display. Hunter’s pace and leadership allowed Texas to break down HCU’s defense with ease, and his outside shooting (2-for-3 from beyond the arc) kept the Huskies from sagging off him.
Alongside Hunter, Dylan Disu and Serge Ibaka were forces in the paint. Disu, who has emerged as a key offensive weapon for Texas this season, finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, controlling the boards and finishing strong around the rim. Ibaka added 14 points and 5 rebounds, showcasing his versatility with several highlight dunks and strong post moves.
The Longhorns’ depth was also evident as head coach **Rodney Terry** rotated a lot of players in and out of the game, keeping fresh legs on the floor throughout the contest. Freshman **Arterio Morris** added a spark off the bench, contributing 12 points and a couple of flashy assists. The Longhorns’ bench outscored HCU’s reserves by a wide margin, further highlighting the team’s overall strength and depth.
Defensively, Texas was relentless, holding HCU to just 37% shooting from the field. The Huskies had no answers for Texas’ full-court pressure and were repeatedly forced into tough shots. **Marcus Carr** and **Jabari Rice** set the tone defensively, each contributing steals and forcing turnovers that led to easy fast-break points. Texas’ ability to switch on screens and contest every shot was evident, as HCU simply couldn’t get into any rhythm offensively.
Despite the game being out of reach early in the second half, HCU kept battling. Their star player, **David Lee**, finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the sheer talent and depth of the Longhorns. Texas continued to pull away, with a series of three-pointers from **Brock Cunningham** and a few breakaway dunks from Ibaka putting the game out of reach with about 8 minutes left.
What stood out the most was Texas’ all-around team play. The Longhorns showed they can score in multiple ways—whether it’s fast-break points, three-pointers, or dominant inside play. They also shared the basketball unselfishly, totaling 23 assists on 34 field goals, a testament to their commitment to team basketball.
The win marked an important start for Texas as they look to build momentum heading into the heart of their non-conference schedule. With a mixture of seasoned veterans and young, talented players, the Longhorns are aiming to challenge for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament come March.
“I’m really proud of the way we came out tonight,” said Texas head coach Rodney Terry after the game. “Our guys played with great energy from the tip, and we really shared the ball well. We know that the season is a marathon, but games like this set a great tone for the rest of the year.”
With this dominant home opener, Texas has shown that they have the pieces to make a deep run this season. From the experience of Hunter and Carr to the emerging talent of Disu and Ibaka, the Longhorns’ combination of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity will make them a formidable opponent for anyone in the nation.
As for HCU, the Huskies will look to regroup as they continue their season, knowing that the experience of playing against a team like Texas can only help their growth. But for the Longhorns, this game was a resounding statement that they are ready to compete at the highest level in college basketball.
With a 1-0 start to the season and a dominant win under their belt, the Texas Longhorns will continue to build momentum as they prepare for their next challenge.