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James' 40th double-double leads No. 2 Texas

Dec 13, 2009 - 12:33 AM By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas(AP) -- Shot by shot, rebound by rebound, the double-doubles keep coming for Texas senior forward Damion James.

How about a dozen more?

James got his 40th career double-double Saturday with 21 points and 16 rebounds as No. 2 Texas beat Texas State 87-54.

"I think 50 sounds better. Or 60," James said. "It's cool. I just want to win. I promise, that's all I want to do."

Texas (8-0) has won its first eight games by at least 15 points, the first time that's happened.

But Saturday's victory was tempered by another injury to a guard.

Freshman J'Covan Brown, who has started four games and is averaging 12.6 points, had to be helped off the court about 6 minutes into the second half after a fall near the basket. Trainers wrapped his left ankle and he left the court on crutches a few minutes later.

Coach Rick Barnes said immediately after the game he didn't know the extent of the injury.

Brown had switched his jersey from No. 14 to No. 50 for the rest of the season to honor teammate Varez Ward, who was lost for the season with a thigh injury in pregame warmups last month.

If Brown is forced to miss games, it would be at least a temporary hit to the impressive guard depth Texas enjoyed when the season began.

The Longhorns get to add a new one within a few days. Jai Lucas, a transfer from Florida, will be eligible to play Dec. 19 against North Carolina.

"You don't ever have enough players," Barnes said.

Against Texas State, Texas missed its first three shots before James converted a tough, spinning layup by practically throwing the ball behind his head. It dropped through the rim and James spun around again, this time punching the air with both fists.

That basket woke up the Texas offense and the Longhorns raced to a 20-6 lead. Brown, Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton all made 3-pointers in the run.

Texas held the Bobcats to 8-of-34 shooting in the first half. Dexter Pittman, Texas' 6-foot-10, 290-pound senior center, had two early blocks and the Longhorns held Texas State scoreless for stretches of 5 minutes and 4 minutes.

Bradley made another 3-pointer and Hamilton made two straight baskets to put Texas up 35-12. The Longhorns scored 20 points off 13 turnovers in the first half.

J.B. Conley had 10 points to lead Texas State (3-7). Bobcats forward Cameron Johnson, who scored 24 against the Longhorns last season, was held scoreless Saturday.

"I don't' know if we were intimidated or what, but I thought we were back on our heels too much," Texas State coach Doug Davalos said. "In Cameron's defense, he's 6-7 and going against Dexter Pittman."

In the second half, a blocked shot by Justin Mason led to an easy pass from Bradley to James for a dunk. Texas State made one of its first nine shots in the half and managed just two points over the first 5 minutes. Texas quickly built the lead to 57-26.

Brown was hurt on a drive to the left side of the basket and appeared to roll his ankle when he landed. He immediately flopped to the ground and didn't try to get up. When got to the bench, he held both hands over his face while trainers wrapped the ankle.

"I didn't see it. There was traffic in there," James said. "We hope he gets better."