Jordan Pope Shines as Texas Dominates New Orleans 98-62
AUSTIN — Jordan Pope delivered a spectacular performance Thursday night, sinking 8 of 12 three-pointers and scoring a career-high 42 points to lead Texas to a commanding 98-62 victory over New Orleans at the Moody Center. Pope’s impressive feat set a new arena record and tied for the second-highest scoring output in a Division I men’s basketball game this season.
Teammates Arthur Kaluma and Chendall Weaver also contributed to the Longhorns’ success. Kaluma notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Weaver added 12 points. The win improved Texas’ season record to 10-2.
The previous Moody Center scoring record of 41 points was set by Marcus Carr in December 2022. Pope’s 42-point explosion places him just behind Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, who scored a season-high 49 points in a D-I game on November 6. Pope’s previous personal best was 31 points, making this game a significant milestone in his career.
For New Orleans (2-8), Dae Dae Hunter led the effort with 16 points, while Jah Short added 15. James White contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and MJ Thomas chipped in with 11 points and nine boards. Despite these efforts, the Privateers suffered their fourth consecutive loss and have dropped six of their last seven games.
The game started with Texas taking immediate control. Kaluma set the tone early, scoring on a layup, a three-pointer, and a traditional three-point play within the first three and a half minutes. This quick burst helped the Longhorns establish a 16-0 lead. New Orleans finally got on the scoreboard when Devon Pryor sank two free throws with 13:39 remaining in the first half. While the Privateers managed to cut the deficit to six points on two occasions, they were unable to sustain momentum and never seriously threatened Texas’ lead.
The Longhorns showcased their dominance on both ends of the court, effectively capitalizing on Pope’s shooting precision and Kaluma’s all-around performance. New Orleans struggled to find an answer, as Texas maintained control throughout the game and secured a decisive victory.
The win highlighted the Longhorns’ depth and offensive firepower, emphasizing their potential as a formidable team this season. Meanwhile, the Privateers will need to regroup as they aim to reverse their current losing trend.
