Texas
SAN JOSE, Calif. (03/25/2026) — The Texas Longhorns' season came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday night as the Purdue Boilermakers secured a 79-77 victory in a tightly contested affair at the SAP Center.
In a game that featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties, neither team could build a significant advantage. The outcome hung in the balance until the final possessions, with Purdue's balanced scoring attack ultimately overcoming a spectacular offensive performance from Texas guard Tramon Mark.
How It Happened
Purdue opened the game with a quick offensive burst, as guard Fletcher Loyer connected on a pair of three-pointers in the first 70 seconds to give the Boilermakers a 6-0 lead. Texas weathered the initial storm, answering with a three from Mark and a dunk from Matas Vokietaitis to cut the deficit to one.
The first half was a back-and-forth duel defined by perimeter shooting. A three-pointer from Jordan Pope tied the game at 12-12 with 14:04 on the clock, and another from Mark gave the Longhorns their first lead, 15-14, a minute later. The Longhorns pushed their advantage to 20-16 before Purdue's offense began to find its rhythm inside the arc. A 10-foot pullup from Trey Kaufman-Renn and a driving layup from Braden Smith swung the lead back to the Boilermakers, 24-23, midway through the period.
The see-saw battle continued, with neither team leading by more than five points. Loyer's third three-pointer of the half put Purdue up 35-30, but Texas closed the gap. A late layup from Kaufman-Renn gave the Boilermakers a 39-35 advantage heading into the locker room.
Texas stormed out of the break, reclaiming the lead 40-39 on a Dailyn Swain layup just 65 seconds into the second half. The lead continued to change hands nearly every possession. Mark hit a pullup jumper to make it 42-41 Texas, only for Kaufman-Renn to answer for Purdue. The Longhorns found a brief surge, with threes from Camden Heide and Pope giving them their largest lead of the game at 52-49 with 14:03 remaining.
Purdue refused to buckle, methodically working its way back. The final ten minutes were played within a razor-thin margin, with Mark's three-pointer at the 10:40 mark giving Texas a momentary 59-58 edge. Purdue center Oscar Cluff responded with a layup a minute later to retake the lead, setting the stage for a tense finish that came down to the wire.
Turning Point
In a game this close, every possession mattered. The crucial difference was Purdue's efficiency and ball security. The Boilermakers committed only four turnovers in the entire game, compared to seven for the Longhorns. In a two-point contest, those extra possessions proved invaluable. While Texas shot an impressive 52% from the field, Purdue's ability to maximize its opportunities and avoid costly mistakes allowed them to withstand every Longhorn rally and emerge with the narrow victory.
Star of the Game
While Tramon Mark's game-high 29 points for Texas was the most dominant individual performance, Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn gets the nod for his crucial and efficient scoring for the winning side. Kaufman-Renn finished with a team-high 20 points and 8 rebounds, consistently providing an answer whenever the Longhorns threatened to pull away. He scored key baskets in both halves, using his size to create opportunities near the rim.
Fletcher Loyer (18 points) and Braden Smith (16 points, 5 assists) also delivered key contributions for the Boilermakers, showcasing the balanced attack that propelled their win.
What It Means
For the Purdue Boilermakers, the hard-fought victory is a testament to their offensive balance and composure under pressure. With four players scoring in double figures, they demonstrated an ability to win a high-level game even when their three-point shooting (20%) was not at its best. They advance, having survived a significant test from a determined SEC opponent.
For the Texas Longhorns, the loss marks a bitter end to a competitive season. The Longhorns showcased their offensive firepower, shooting effectively from all over the floor. Mark's 29-point outburst and an impressive all-around game from Dailyn Swain (15 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST) were bright spots in the defeat. While the result is a disappointment, the performance itself highlights the talent and fight the Longhorns possessed.