Austin, TX (My Sportsbook) - Dexter Pittman had 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help No. 8 Texas crush Appalachian State, 78-43. Gary Johnson had 16 points and nine boards for the Longhorns (11-2), who have won two in a row since a 67-63 loss to Michigan State on December 20. Damion James chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds. Kellen Brand had 12 points for the Mountaineers (5-5), who have lost three of their last four games. D.J. Abraham's jumper brought Appalachian State within 25-21 with 4:47 left in the first half, but Texas closed out the frame on a modest 7-2 run to take a 32-23 lead at the break. Johnson's free throw capped a 12-0 run the Longhorns used to open the second half. The surge gave the home team a 44-23 lead with 15:25 left in the game. Texas wasn't threatened the rest of the game and cruised to an easy victory. Game Notes Friday was the first-ever meeting between the schools on the hardwood...Texas has registered a 119-10 home record against unranked opponents during the Rick Barnes era...Texas plays Arkansas on Tuesday. Appalachian State plays Elon on Thursday. |
