A Lopsided Start in Austin
The Texas Longhorns opened their home slate with overwhelming authority, defeating the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 98-50 on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Played at the Moody Center in Austin before an attendance of 10,807, the contest was defined by Texas’s early and sustained dominance.
The Longhorns established control immediately, jumping out to a 54-20 lead by halftime. The scoring differential in the first half alone (54-20) set the tone for a game where Gardner-Webb could never mount a serious threat. Texas utilized efficient offense and stifling defense to build an insurmountable gap before the break, leaving the visitors with little momentum heading into the second period.
Second Half Execution
Texas did not slow its pace after the intermission, outscoring Gardner-Webb 44-30 in the final 20 minutes. The Longhorns continued to extend their lead through a combination of layups, dunks, and three-point shooting. Key contributions came from Austin Goosby, Joe Sterling, and Marcus Spears Jr., who helped push the score into triple digits for Texas while keeping Gardner-Webb’s output in check.
Gardner-Webb managed to score 30 points in the second half, with Mikhali Pocknett and Jackson Skipper providing some offensive spark. However, the deficit was too large to overcome, and the final margin of 48 points reflected the comprehensive nature of Texas’s performance.
