Texas Longhorns Fall in Heartbreaker vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Live Updates

The Texas Longhorns battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs to open up conference play on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller moves players during the second half against the Le Moyne Dolphins at Moody Center. | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

The Texas Longhorns have arrived at the second portion of their schedule, with the non-conference slate now in the books as Texas racked up a 9-4 record through 13 games. The Longhorns now have their sights set on conference play.

Opening SEC play on Saturday, the Longhorns welcome the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who also get their first action in the SEC this season. The Bulldogs finished their nonconference schedule with an 8-5 record and head into the matchup with the Longhorns with a four-game winning streak.

Last time out for the Longhorns, it was another victory to close out nonconference play with a 94-71 over Maryland Eastern Shore, giving Texas a two-game winning streak heading into the battle against the Bulldogs.

Texas Longhorns vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) shoots a three point basket against Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks guard Michael Teal (4) during the first half at Moody Center. | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

This season, the Longhorns have been large and part by sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis as the big man is the Longhorns' leading scorer, averaging close to 16 points per game while shooting 66 percent from the field. The seven-footer's impact is also felt outside of scoring the basketball, with Vokietaitis averaging 6.8 rebounds and a block per game.

Not too far behind Vokietaitis, also being an immediate impact for the Longhorns has been forward Dailyn Swain, who heads into the matchup averaging 15 points per game, shooting over 55 percent from the field, while also rolling with 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

Taking a look at the Bulldogs, the Longhorns will have to keep a keen eye on guard Josh Hubbard, who enters the game as Mississippi State's leading scorer with 21.3 points per game, shooting a 43.5 percent from the field while averaging a team-high 31.5 minutes per game. The leading scorer is also the Bulldogs' leading playmaker, averaging close to four assists per game as well as 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

The Bulldogs also feature an impactful center with seven-foot Quincy Ballard, who should be a tough matchup for Vokietaitis on the defensive side of the court. Ballard heads into the matchup averaging 6.9 points per game and a team-high 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

After a long 13-game non-conference schedule, the Longhorns finally open up SEC play at home, taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 5:00 PM at the Moody Center, and be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.

Follow below for live updates as the game progresses

---

Live Updates

The starting lineup for Texas tonight is: guard Jordan Pope, guard Tramon Mark, forward Dailyn Swain, forward Camden Heide, and center Matas Vokietaitis.

Texas wins the tip and is up and running from the Moody Center.

Under 16 Timeout

It's been a quick back-and-forth start to the Longhorns' SEC openers with Mississippi State getting out to an early 11-9 lead with 15:17 minutes to go in the opening half.

For the Bulldogs there guard duo of Josh Hubbard and Jayden Epps have started out quickly combing for all 11 of Mississippi State's points. For the Longhorns, Dailyn Swain and Tramon Mark are finding a rhythm, accounting for Texas's nine points so far.

Under 12 Timeout

The pace in the game has not wavered, with the score now all tied up at 18-18 with 11:53 minutes left to go in the first half.

Dailyn Swain continues an early start, currently with a team-high seven points, while Matas Vokietaitis has found his first points in the ballgame, up to three points through the first eight minutes of game time.

Under 8 Timeout

Mississippi State is slowly opening up a lead with the Bulldogs leading 27-21 with 7:48 minutes left to go in the first half.

The Longhorns have struggled, with a four-minute scoring drought that has allowed the Bulldogs to enjoy a seven-to-nothing run, opening up the largest lead of the game. Texas is struggling hanging onto the basketball, up to six turnovers, with Mississippi State cashing in with 10 points of Longhorn turnovers.

Under 4 Timeout

The Longhorns have worked to get themselves back into this game, with the Bulldogs now leading 37-32 with 3:48 minutes left in the opening half.

Texas inched itself closer to Mississippi State thanks to its own seven-to-nothing run while the Bulldogs were scoreless for nearly two minutes. The run was capped with a three-pointer from Simeon Wilcher to pull the game within two; however, a quick three made from Josh Hubbard quelled the momentum.

Halftime: Mississippi State 48, Texas 43

Under 16 Timeout

The pace of the game has remained constant coming out of the locker room, with Mississippi State holding a narrow 52-21 lead over Texas with 15:58 minutes in the second half.

Dailyn Swain is keeping the Longhorns in the ballgame with the forward up to a team-leading 20 points in the ballgame, while for the Bulldogs, Josh Hubbard continues to attack the Longhorns defense with the guard also up to 20 points in the game.

Under 12 Timeout

Both teams continue to battle with the ballgame now all tied up 61-61 with 11 minutes left to go in the second half.

The Longhorns have rattled off a nine-to-two run to draw them closer in the matchup, while the Bulldogs keep responding whenever the Longhorns get close.

Under 8 Timeout

The Longhorns have been able to battle all the way back to take a small 71-70 lead with 7:19 minutes left in the second half.

A sequence featuring a big three-point shot made by Chendall Weaver and then a transition and-one from Dailyn Swain shifted the momentum in the ballgame. Swain keeps running, already closed in on a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Under 4 Timeout

The Longhorns hang onto their largest lead of the game with an 80-76 lead with 3:10 minutes left to go in the ballgame.

Dailyn Swain has been on fire in the game, with the forward up to a game-high and his career-high 31 points in the matchup, making 9 of his 17 shot attempts.

End of Regulation: Texas 86, Mississippi State 86