No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns defeat No. 6 BYU Cougars 79-71 in March Madness second-round game The Texas Longhorns, seeded 11th in the NCAA tournament, advanced to the next round with a 79-71 victory over the No. 6 BYU Cougars in a tightly contested second-round matchup. The game, played on March 20, 2026, saw Texas overcome a challenging matchup against the higher-seeded Cougars, with standout performance from guard Vokietaitis, who scored 23 points to lead the Longhorns. The contest, officiated by referees Verne Harris, Larry Scirotto, and James Breeding, featured a back-and-forth battle throughout. Texas, known for its defensive intensity, managed to contain BYU’s offensive threats while capitalizing on key opportunities in the second half. The Longhorns’ ability to maintain composure under pressure proved critical, as they extended their lead in the final minutes to secure the win. BYU, which entered the game as a top-six seed, struggled to find consistent scoring after the first quarter. Despite efforts to rally in the second half, the Cougars’ offense faced challenges against Texas’ disciplined defense. The Longhorns’ balanced scoring attack, combined with key contributions from their bench, ultimately proved too much for BYU to overcome. The victory marks a significant milestone for Texas, as the 11th-seeded team advances further in the tournament than many had anticipated. The result highlights the unpredictability of the NCAA tournament, where lower-seeded teams can disrupt higher-ranked opponents. For BYU, the loss ends a strong season but leaves room for reflection on how to adjust their strategy for future matchups. The game also underscored the importance of clutch performances in high-stakes college basketball.#texas_longhorns #byu_cougars #vokietaitis #verne_harris #larry_scirotto
