The Texas Longhorns are off to another inspiring start to their season, undefeated thus far, but Thursday night was a highlight victory for them. The Longhorns advanced in the Continental Tire Vegas Invitational with an upset of seventh-ranked North Carolina, 92-89. Kerwin Roach II led the way with a career-high 32 points, all while adding seven assists and six steals, helping his team improve to 5-0 on the young season. Roach shot 12-of-15 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and grabbed six rebounds on the night. His performance overtook his previous career-high of 26 points, as he passed that with 8:27 left in the game.
Roach's big day also helped his team overcome Cody White's 33 points, as the freshman helped the Tar Heels keep pace with the Longhorns, who surpassed 40 points each half. Although, White did have a chance to tie the game late, but missed a three-pointer with 1:01 left, and North Carolina could not come back after that. White finished 7-of-10 from three-point range in the Tar Heels' first loss of the season.
White's showing was the most points scored by a North Carolina freshman since Harrison Barnes put up 40 points in the 2011 ACC Tournament against the Clemson Tigers.
Yet somehow it was not enough, as the Longhorns also got 16 points from Matt Coleman III, and 15 points from Jaxson Hayes. They led by just one point at halftime thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Dylan Osetkowski, who had 14 points in the win. The Longhorns will compete against the 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans on Friday after they beat the 17th-ranked UCLA Bruins with ease late Thursday night.
The Tar Heels' offense did look good as well, despite the loss, as Cameron Johnson contributed 16 points, while Luke Maye added 11 points and nine rebounds. They will also be in action on Friday afternoon, battling the Bruins in a ranked matchup.
Roach's big day also helped his team overcome Cody White's 33 points, as the freshman helped the Tar Heels keep pace with the Longhorns, who surpassed 40 points each half. Although, White did have a chance to tie the game late, but missed a three-pointer with 1:01 left, and North Carolina could not come back after that. White finished 7-of-10 from three-point range in the Tar Heels' first loss of the season.
White's showing was the most points scored by a North Carolina freshman since Harrison Barnes put up 40 points in the 2011 ACC Tournament against the Clemson Tigers.
Yet somehow it was not enough, as the Longhorns also got 16 points from Matt Coleman III, and 15 points from Jaxson Hayes. They led by just one point at halftime thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Dylan Osetkowski, who had 14 points in the win. The Longhorns will compete against the 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans on Friday after they beat the 17th-ranked UCLA Bruins with ease late Thursday night.
The Tar Heels' offense did look good as well, despite the loss, as Cameron Johnson contributed 16 points, while Luke Maye added 11 points and nine rebounds. They will also be in action on Friday afternoon, battling the Bruins in a ranked matchup.
