Texas’ Vokietaitis dominates, gives BYU an early first-round exit out of NCAA tournament

PORTLAND, Ore. — BYU had no answer for Texas' seven-foot center, Matas Vokietaitis.

Not early, not late, not at any point that mattered.

The Longhorn center controlled the game from the start in a 79–71 Texas win, turning his presence inside into the difference. He finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds, but the first half is what put BYU in a hole it couldn’t climb out of.

Vokietaitis had 15 points and 11 rebounds before halftime, including eight offensive boards. That gave Texas extra possessions all night and helped build a nine-point lead at the break.

BYU coach Kevin Young pointed to that stretch after the game.

“It was just super disappointing," he said. "We’ve been a really good rebounding team for most of the year, and in particular in our sort of resurgence at the end of the season.”

Photo by Logan Wride

BYU was more competitive in the second half, but Vokietaitis stayed steady. He added eight points and five rebounds and continued to impact possessions even when he wasn’t scoring.

Texas finished with a 40–31 rebounding advantage and a 16–8 edge on the offensive glass.

“We knew how good he was. You watch the tape, it’s pretty obvious to see it,” Young said. “We challenged our bigs at halftime, not just the bigs, but the guards, too. I thought we did a much better job in the second half.”

He added, “But yes, extremely disappointing that he basically manhandled our whole team in the first half.”

The rebounding issues also affected BYU’s rotation. Keba Keita spent much of the second half in foul trouble and fouled out with just under five minutes remaining, limiting BYU’s options inside late.

Texas coach Sean Miller credited his center postgame.

“Matas played potentially the best game that he’s played at Texas today," he said. "A big reason we won is because of what he did.”

Texas advances to the Round of 32 to face the winner of Gonzaga and Kennesaw State.

For BYU, the season ends with clear offseason priorities: replacing production, managing roster turnover and adding pieces through the transfer portal.