AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — Matas Vokietaitis scored 27 points and Texas used a dominant first-half performance to build a substantial lead before holding off a second-half rally from Mississippi for a 79-68 victory in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Frank Erwin Center.

A crowd of 10,585 watched the Longhorns improve to 15-9 overall, while the Rebels fell to 11-12.

The most important part of the game was Texas’s early command, established through interior superiority and defensive pressure. The Longhorns built a 37-25 halftime lead by outscoring Mississippi 32-16 in the paint over the first 20 minutes and capitalizing on a series of Rebel turnovers. Texas opened the game on a 20-4 run, a stretch during which Vokietaitis, the 7-foot sophomore from Lithuania, was nearly unstoppable. He scored eight of Texas’s first 14 points, including a hook shot, a tip-in layup, and a steady procession to the free-throw line, setting an aggressive tone that Mississippi struggled to counter.

Mississippi, which entered the game having lost three of its last four, found little offensive rhythm early. The Rebels missed 10 of their first 11 field goal attempts and committed five turnovers in the opening eight minutes, allowing Texas to seize a double-digit lead it would never fully relinquish. While the Rebels managed to trim a 16-point deficit down to nine late in the first half, Texas answered with a Simeon Wilcher jumper to take a 12-point advantage into the break.

The second half saw a determined push from Mississippi. Led by Eduardo Klafke, who finished with 16 points, and Ilias Kamardine, who added 11, the Rebels opened the period with increased energy. A Patton Pinkins 3-pointer and a series of free throws cut the Texas lead to 41-37 with just over 17 minutes remaining, forcing a Longhorns timeout.

Texas responded by re-establishing its inside game. Vokietaitis drew fouls and converted free throws, and Tramon Mark, who finished with 19 points, hit key jumpers to stabilize the lead. Every time Mississippi threatened, the Longhorns had an answer, often through Vokietaitis in the post or Mark on the perimeter. A critical sequence came with Texas leading 55-50 near the midway point of the half. Vokietaitis scored on a layup, was fouled, and completed the three-point play. On the ensuing possession, he scored again inside, pushing the lead back to 10 points and blunting the Rebel momentum for good.

Mississippi’s effort was hampered by its inability to score consistently near the basket, finishing with just 16 points in the paint compared to 32 for Texas. The Rebels also shot poorly from the field, though they did generate 14 points off 10 Longhorns turnovers. Kezza Giffa and Pinkins each scored 10 points for Mississippi.

Beyond Vokietaitis and Mark, Texas received significant contributions from Dailyn Swain, who had 7 points and 9 rebounds, and Jordan Pope, who scored 13 points, including a crucial 3-pointer and a three-point play in the final three minutes to extinguish Mississippi’s last hopes. The Longhorns’ defense held the Rebels to 39 percent shooting in the decisive first half.

The win was Texas’s third in its last four games, keeping it in the upper tier of the SEC standings. Mississippi, meanwhile, continued a difficult stretch in conference play, dropping its fourth consecutive SEC road game.

Texas next travels to face Missouri on Feb. 14, while Mississippi returns home to host Alabama on Feb. 11.