Texas Longhorns Hang On for Win Over NC State: Live Updates

The Texas Longhorns had an up-and-down regular season in head coach Sean Miller's first year at the helm. The Longhorns concluded the regular season with an 18-13 overall record and a 9-9 mark in the SEC, and after Texas's rough loss in the first round of the SEC Tournament, hopes for the NCAA Tournament sat in limbo.

However, come Selection Sunday, the Longhorns did end up hearing their name, being one of the final teams to make it to the field of 68, earning a spot in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament with a matchup slated against the NC State Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack head into the First Four battle with a 20-13 overall record and a 10-8 record in the ACC. Just like the Longhorns, the Wolfpack didn't have the best end to the season, losing five of its last six games and winning just two of its last nine. headed into the NCAA Tournament.

Texas Longhorns vs. NC State Wolfpack

Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain lays the ball in against the Mississippi Rebels. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Texas and NC State have faced off once this season, all the way back in November, when the two teams squared off in the Maui Invitational. A matchup that pitted the Longhorns against a then-No. 23-ranked Wolfpack squad, which Texas came out on top in a high-scoring 102-97 affair.

In that matchup several months ago, guard Jordan Pope led the way for the Longhorns, scoring a team-high 28 points while shooting 53 percent from the field and from three-point range, along with four assists.

Finding plenty of success against the Longhorns for the Wolfpack was guard Quadir Copeland, who ended the night also scoring 28 points while shooting 71 percent from the field and two of three from beyond the arc in a losing effort.

Copeland is one of the top scorers for the Wolfpack, averaging 13.9 points per game along with Paul McNeil Jr. and forward Ven-Allen Lubin, who also average 13.9 points per game. The Wolfpack's lineup features four players who average double-digit points per game, with forward Darrion Williams not too far behind, averaging 13.8 points per game.

The Longhorns will look to punch a ticket to become the No. 11 seed in the West region and set up a matchup against the No. 6 BYU Cougars in Portland, OR., as they battle the Wolfpack on Tuesday at 8:15 PM at the UD Arena in Dayton, OH. Be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.

Live Updates

It'll be the usual starting five for Miller and his squad: guard Jordan Pope, guard Tramon Mark, forward Dailyn Swain, forward Camden Heide and center Matas Vokietaitis.

The Wolfpack wins the tipoff and will have the first possession of the ballgame.

Under 16 Timeout

The Longhorns have come out with some fire, taking an early 9-2 lead over the Wolfpack with 15:21 minutes left to play in the opening half.

Texas has found some rhythm right from the jump, shooting three of five from the field, and all of its points have come from the three-point ball, starting a perfect three of three from beyond the arc, with Camden Heide, Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope getting in on the action.

The Wolfpack, on the other hand, has started one of eight from the field.

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Texas has continued to hold onto a 16-12 lead with 11:42 minutes remaining in the first half.

After a hot three-of-five start from the field, the Longhorns have gotten a little bit cold through the early going, shooting 5 of 14 from the field and three of five from three. For the Wolfpack, Darrion Williams has woken up scoring 10 of NC State's 12 points while shooting four of five from the field.

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The Longhorns keep leading 25-19 through the middle part of the first half, with 5:40 minutes remaining.

Tramon Mark is leading the Longhorns so far with six points to his count, while shooting two of seven from the field. Matas Vokietaitis is also making himself felt in the ballgame with five points and five rebounds, along with a block.

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Texas continues to lead 30-23 down the stretch of the first half with 3:46 minutes remaining in the half.

Dailyn Swain has gotten himself into the ballgame with seven points, three assists, and a pair of rebounds. As a team, the Longhorns are shooting 8 of 21 from the field, while the Wolfpack has shot 10 of 26 from the field.

Halftime: Texas 30, NC State 29

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The Longhorns hand onto a slim 35-34 lead with 15:39 minutes to play in the second half.

The Longhorns have come out the locker room looking to break out of a rough end to the first half as they shoot 10 of 34 from the field and 5 of 13 from beyond the arc.

Under 12 Timeout

The Longhorns keep withstanding with a narrow 43-41 lead.

Leading the way for the Longhorns through the middle part of the second half is Matas Vokietaitis with a team-high 11 points while shooting 4 of 10 from the field along with six rebounds and a block.

Under 8 Timeout

Texas keeps hanging onto a 49-44 lead down the stretch of the second half with 7:54 minutes remaining.

The Longhorns stay ahead while shooting 15 of 47 from the field and 5 of 16 from beyond the arc due to the Wolfpack's also inconsistent shooting, as it's 17 of 50 from the field and 3 of 13 from three-point range.

Under 4 Timeout

Texas keeps leading as the ballgame gets closer down the stretch, leading 58-53 with 3:52 minutes left in the ballgame.

The Longhorns have three players in double-digit scores, with Matas Vokietaitis leading the pack with 15 points, and both Dailyn Swain and Tramon Mark have scored 11 points on the night.

Final: Texas 68, NC State 66

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