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James' 18 points lead No. 3 Texas to 73-41 win

Nov 19, 2009 - 7:39 AM By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas(AP) -- Gary Johnson is a prime example of the depth No. 3 Texas has and what it means for the players.

Minutes on the court will be limited. Get in the game, it's time to produce or it's back to the bench.

"When you're out there, you have to do everything right. You have to play as hard as possible," Johnson said after scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 19 minutes of Texas' 73-41 win over Western Carolina on Wednesday night.

Texas (2-0) has a luxury of depth with senior forwards Damion James, Dexter Pittman, and a freshman class many consider the best in the country. James scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds against the Catamounts (1-1).

Johnson, a junior forward, said he had to swallow his pride knowing others are being counted on for the scoring he once expected to produce.

"I just want to do whatever will make this team win. That's all that matters as you get older and mature. I'm a junior now. Things change. I know I can score," Johnson said.

The lineup is only going to get deeper. Florida transfer Jai Lucas, a guard, will be eligible to play in mid-December.

Texas coach Rick Barnes loves the challenge of getting everyone on the court.

"It's hard to get everybody out there," Barnes said. "I'll tell you this: If guys do their job, they're all going to find a way to get on the court."

The freshmen are still feeling their way around the college game. They looked nervous in the season-opener against UC-Irvine and this one wasn't without early mistakes.

Freshman point guard J'Covan Brown scored 10 points and had his first assists of the season, finishing with three against six turnovers in 21 minutes. Avery Bradley, considered by some the top recruit in the country, put up an air ball on his first shot and finished with four points in 17 minutes.

Brown was academically ineligible last season and is still working the rust off his game.

"He's turning the ball over way too much. He's a very good basketball player. I know he's better than that," Barnes said.

A 20-6 run in the first half put Texas firmly in control. Johnson scored six in the run.

Brown found his shooting touch late in the first half. He made two 3-pointers and a driving, scoop layup at the buzzer that gave Texas a 43-24 halftime lead.

Brown also got a rude welcome to college ball when the Catamounts, hardly the most physical team Texas will play this season, ran him into a hard screen midway through the second half. He stayed on the ground for a few seconds but was able to keep playing.

Texas outrebounded Western Carolina 47-32 and held the Catamounts to 26 percent shooting. Western Carolina scored just 17 points in the second half.

"They really get after you defensively," coach Larry Hunter said. "I think we have a decent offensive team. They can run a lot of people at you."

Harouna Mutombo scored 10 points to lead Western Carolina.