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Augustin, Abrams enable Texas to cruise past Texas Tech

Jan 27, 2008 - 4:44 AM AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- D.J. Augustin scored a game-high 19 points and A.J. Abrams added 17 as 12th-ranked Texas continued its mastery of Big 12 rival Texas Tech with a 73-47 victory on Saturday.

The Longhorns (16-3, 3-1 Big 12) have won the past six meetings with the Red Raiders (11-8, 2-3) and are 19-2 against their in-state rival under coach Rick Barnes.

Augustin, a sophomore guard, finished 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Texas' leading scorer with 20.8 points per game, Augustin was coming off a 26-point performance in the Longhorns' 63-61 victory over Oklahoma State on Monday.

For his part, Abrams shot 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

In addition, Texas benefited from its bench play to keep Texas Tech at bay.

"They came out with a small lineup and we tried to get inside with Gary (Johnson), Damion (James) and Clint (Chapman), Augustin said. "They all did a great job posting up and scoring for us."

After earning a pair of hard-fought two-point wins over Colorado and Oklahoma State in its last two games, Texas was a bit sluggish out of the gate on Saturday.

The Longhorns scored just 11 points during the first 13 minutes of the game, but still found themselves with an 11-8 advantage.

"Early, we were probably trying to do too much," Barnes said. "When you play Texas Tech, you have to play a few possessions before you know how they're going to guard. We were probably working too hard at going after certain players and it got us bogged down a little bit."

Augustin eventually found his range, sinking three jumpers and Justin Mason scored five of his seven points as Texas amassed a 28-16 lead at intermission.

Augustin scored seven of his team's first 11 points in the second half as the Longhorns grabbed a 39-22 advantage.

Abrams began to heat up in the second half, amassing eight points in 90 seconds on two 3-pointers and a short jumper to extend Texas' lead to 61-38.

"We kind of fell into their trap early in the game and finally got started going in the second half," Abrams said."

Mike Singletary had 11 points and John Roberson added 10 for Texas Tech.

Martin Zeno, who led five players in double figures with a career-high 33 points in Texas Tech's 92-84 victory over Missouri on Tuesday, finished with nine points.

Prior to the start of the game, Texas Tech coach Bobby Knight received a standing ovation from Texas fans for earning his 900th victory earlier this season.

"I really appreciated that," Knight said. "I think we've always been treated really well down there."