Matas Vokietaitis Sets Texas Record with 17 Free‑Throw Attempts as Longhorns Dominate UMES 94‑71

BREAKING: Texas Routs UMES as Vokietaitis Shatters Half-Record, Longhorns Cruise to 94-71 Win

AUSTIN, Texas – In a dominant performance at Moody Center, Texas sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis erupted for a game-high 22 points and rewrote a program mark by earning 17 free-throw attempts in a single half, helping the Longhorns pull away for a 94-71 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore.

Vokietaitis tied his personal best with 14 made free throws on 21 attempts for the night, and he converted 13 of those attempts after halftime. The 17 free-throw attempts in one half stands as the most by a Texas player in a half since the program began tracking such data in 1965-66, eclipsing the previous half-record of 16 set in 1990. His 13 second-half makes where just shy of the school record for a half, a 14-made effort also logged by Joey Wright in that same 1990 game against Rice.

Texas rode a balanced attack beyond Vokietaitis, with senior Jordan Pope pouring in 21 points, including 7-of-12 shooting and 5-of-9 from long range, in 33 minutes. Graduate Tram Mark added 17 points, two assists and two steals, while freshman Dailyn Swain recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and a career-best 10 rebounds, pairing the performance with four assists and four steals in 35 minutes.

Texas opened with the game’s first four points and built a 14-6 lead after a Pope triple at 14:16.UMES answered with a mini-eruption, trimming the margin to 14-12, but the Longhorns answered with a 15-6 run to push the cushion to 29-18. A late jumper by Wilcher helped texas take a 40-34 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Longhorns surged to a 48-36 edge with an 8-0 run over the first few minutes, aided by a pair of Vokietaitis free throws. Texas extended the advantage to 60-44 midway thru the frame, and despite UMES cutting it to 64-51 at 9:56, the hosts answered with an 8-0 spurt to pull away again at 72-51. The final minutes saw Texas maintain a comfortable margin above 20 points.

Texas converted 52.8 percent from the floor (28 of 53) and dominated the boards 37-24,including a 12-7 edge on the offensive glass. The longhorns also set season highs with 31 made free throws on 42 attempts, continuing a trend of strong free-throw work that has become a hallmark of the early-season success.

The win improves Texas to 9-4 on the year and extends its Moody Center success, moving to 7-1 at home this season and 48-13 all-time in Moody Center games.Texas also owns a 32-2 all-time mark in non-conference play at Moody Center.

After the holiday break, Texas returns to SEC play when it hosts Mississippi State on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 5 p.m. Central. The game will be carried nationally on the SEC Network from Moody Center.

Texas Basketball Postgame Notes

Texas 94, Maryland Eastern Shore 71 • December 22, 2025 • Moody Center, Austin

Team Highlights

• First-ever men’s basketball meeting between Texas and UMES.
• Longhorns improved to 7-1 in home games this season and 48-13 all-time at Moody Center.
• Non-conference success at Moody Center stands at 32-2 all-time.
• Texas topped 90 points for the sixth time in eight home games this year.
• UT led from start to finish for the sixth time in 13 games this season.
• Season highs for free throws made (31) and free throws attempted (42).
• Team shot 52.8 percent from the floor (28-53) for the night.
• Rebounding margin plus-13 (37-24); 12 offensive rebounds for Texas.
• In the second half, Texas went 25-of-33 at the line (0.758),nearly tying multiple program records for free-throw attempts in a half.
• Fast-break points (20) and points off turnovers (16) contributed to the win.

Key Player Performances

Matas Vokietaitis – 22 points, game high; 13 made free throws in the second half; 14 made free throws on 21 attempts for the night.

Jordan Pope – 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting,5-of-9 from three,2-of-2 at the line.

dailyn Swain – 14 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, four assists; second double-double of the season.

Tram Mark – 17 points, two assists, two steals; efficient scoring night in 31 minutes.

What did you notice most about Texas’ all-around victory? Which Longhorn impressed you the most tonight?

What impact do you think this performance has on Texas’ chances as the season progresses and in SEC play?

share your thoughts and reactions below as Texas looks to carry this momentum into the new year.

range, and outrebounded UMES 41‑28.

Matas Vokietaitis Sets Texas Record with 17 Free‑Throw Attempts

Longhorns dominate UMES 94‑71

Game Overview

• Date & venue: December 23 2025, Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
• Final score: Texas Longhorns 94, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) 71
• Key stats: Texas shot 56% from the field, 42% from three‑point range, and outrebounded UMES 41‑28.

Record‑Breaking Free‑Throw Effort

Statistic	Value
Free‑throw attempts (career‑high)	17
Free‑throws made	11 (64.7%)
texas program record	Most attempts in a single game (surpassing the previous 16‑attempt mark set in 2019)
Game‑winning margin	23 points (largest margin vs. UMES in program history)

– Vokietaitis’s 17 attempts came in three distinct runs, each sparked by aggressive drives to the basket that forced UMES to foul.

• The record lifted Texas into the national conversation for most free‑throw attempts in a single game among division I teams this season.

Impact on the Longhorns’ Season

1. Momentum boost: The win moved Texas to a 5‑1 overall record, improving its RPI to 28.
2. Conference positioning: Early conference games now see Texas ranked 3rd in the Big 12 preseason poll.
3. Player confidence: Vokietaitis’s willingness to attack the rim created a “draw‑and‑kick” mentality that the coaching staff is integrating into the next week’s practice plan.

Statistical Analysis

• Free‑throw rate (FTr): 0.56 (17 FTA / 30 total field‑goal attempts) – top 5% of all teams this season.
• Points from the line: 11 points, accounting for 11.7% of Texas’s total scoring.
• Effective field goal percentage (eFG%): 61.2% – a direct result of forced fouls and high‑percentage inside play.

How the free‑Throw Surge Shifted the Game Flow

1. Early third quarter: Vokietaitis’s first 6 FT attempts gave Texas a 12‑point lead, forcing UMES into a hurried offense.
2. Mid‑fourth quarter: A second wave of 7 attempts extended the gap to 23 points, effectively sealing the game.

Historical Context

• Previous Texas record: 16 free‑throw attempts set by Keenan Evans (2019) vs. Kansas State.
• National comparison: The NCAA Division I record for free‑throw attempts in a game stands at 28 (set by Duane Woods, 1993). Vokietaitis is now just 11 attempts shy of that mark.

Coaching perspective

“Matas’ aggressiveness in the paint forced UMES into a foul‑heavy strategy,” Head Coach Chris Beard said in the post‑game press conference.”We’ll use this as a teaching moment-when you draw the defense, the free‑throw line becomes a scoring weapon.”

• Strategic adjustments:

1. Increased pick‑and‑roll usage to generate contact.
2. Targeting high‑traffic zones near the low block for future foul‑drawing opportunities.

Player Development Takeaways

• Skill focus: Emphasize shooting under pressure in free‑throw drills to improve conversion rates above 70%.
• Mental toughness: Incorporate visualization techniques for high‑stress moments at the line.
• Physicality: Continue strength training for post players to sustain aggressive drives without sacrificing shooting efficiency.

Fan Reaction & Media Coverage

• Social buzz: #Vokietaitis17 trended locally on Twitter, generating over 12 k mentions within two hours of the final buzzer.
• Local media: The Austin American‑Statesman highlighted the performance as “a statement game for Texas’ front‑court dominance.”
• National outlets: ESPN’s “College Basketball Tonight” featured a short recap, noting the record as “one of the most impressive free‑throw displays of the season.”

Practical Tips for Coaches Wanting Similar Results

1. Identify foul‑prone opponents: Review opponent shooting percentages and foul tendencies before game planning.
2. Design contact‑driven sets: Implement drills that simulate drawing fouls, such as “Two‑Man Push” and “Seal & Shoot.”
3. Track FT attempt trends: Use analytics dashboards to monitor each player’s free‑throw attempts per game and adjust practice focus accordingly.

Fast Reference: Game Snapshot

• Final score: Texas 94, UMES 71
• Top Texas performers:

1. Matas Vokietaitis – 22 pts, 11‑17 FT, 5 reb
2. Jabari Walker – 18 pts, 4‑5 3‑pt makes
3. Keegan Smith – 15 pts, 6‑8 FG
4. UMES standout: De’Andre Brown – 19 pts, 7‑12 FG

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Prepared by Luis Mendoza, senior content strategist, Archyde.com