With better sense of urgency, Texas faces Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th December, 15:47 2024

Texas Longhorns forward Arthur Kaluma (6) talks to guard Tre Johnson (20) during the game against the University of Connecticut at the Moody Center on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

Texas looks to continue its home success in the runup to its first season in the Southeastern Conference when it hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns (8-2) rebounded from a loss to two-time defending NCAA champion UConn on Sunday by walloping New Mexico State 91-67 at home on Thursday. Arthur Kaluma led the way with 18 points as he continues to turn heads in what has become a co-leading role with freshman phenom Tre Johnson.

Kaluma is averaging 14.7 points per game and a team-leading 8.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor that includes a 48.0-percent showing from behind the arc. He has scored in double figures in all but one game this season.

Texas coach Rodney Terry was happy with the way his team responded after what had to be considered a lackluster performance in the loss to UConn.

"We spent two days working hard on playing with urgency, playing with the purpose," Terry said. "Our guys came out (against New Mexico State) with the great effort and really set the tone early defensively and shared the ball, moved the ball, and did a nice job."

Thursday's game was the first time this season that Johnson didn't either lead or share the team lead in scoring. He still leads the Longhorns with an average of 19.9 points per game.

Texas will play two more mid-major teams -- New Orleans and Northwestern State -- after Arkansas-Pine Bluff before it opens SEC play at No. 17 Texas A&M on Jan. 4.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-9) heads to Austin on the heels of an 89-73 loss at Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday. Caleb Jones and Dante Sawyer led the Golden Lions with 14 points each in the setback as their ball-hawking defense forced 18 turnovers.

The Golden Lions have only one win over a Division I team this season and have allowed an average of 93.3 points per game. Arkansas-Pine Bluff has been outscored by an average of 21.1 points and outrebounded by an average of 9.4 boards per game while allowing opponents to shoot 49.4 percent from the floor.

The teams have played twice, with Texas winning both at home. The most recent matchup was an 88-43 Longhorns victory in 2022.

--Field Level Media

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