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Clemente, Kansas State hold off Texas

Feb 1, 2009 - 4:58 AM AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Denis Clemente scored 44 points to lead Kansas State to an 85-81 overtime victory over No. 12 Texas on Saturday.

Clemente was 13-of-25 from the field, including 6-of-6 from the arc. The former Miami Hurricane was also 12-of-12 from the line, including two with 6.9 seconds to go in overtime to ice the win.

"Denis (Clemente) was as good as we've played against all year," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "Every time when we were able to get back in and they needed a big play, they made it. The way we started the game, the turnovers, the carelessness, the shot selection, it's the same thing we've continued to talk about. They played hard and we didn't handle it to start with. They played really well."

Texas was down, 32-22, at the break and trailed for much of the second half, including 17 at one point. The Longhorns (15-5, 4-2 Big 12) rallied and tied the game, 74-74, on a layup by Justin Mason in the closing seconds of regulation.

Damion James led Texas with 19 points, while A.J. Abrams added 15 before fouling out with three minutes left in OT.

"I think we can learn from what we did wrong, but right now it's a big loss and we're going to have to make it up somewhere," Abrams said.

Clemente's outburst tied the Big 12 record for most points in a league game set last season by former Wildcat Michael Beasley. He also helped end the Longhorns' 19-game home winning streak.

"I was feeling good today. Everything dropped tonight, so I kept shooting," Clemente said. "I felt good during shootaround. I knew I needed to score for us to win. It felt like I was shooting into an ocean.

"I used my speed. I play fast. I'm faster than everybody, that's how I feel."

Gary Johnson made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game, 79-79. Kansas State answered as Fred Brown drained a 3-pointer from well beyond the arc to make it 82-79 with 18 seconds left.

"It was crunch time. You've got to step up and make plays," Brown said. "I didn't know there were six seconds on the clock. I said, 'I've got to make a play', and that's what happened."

Brown had 13 points and was the only other Kansas State player to score in double figures.

"I'm so proud of our kids. I couldn't be prouder," Kansas State coach Fred Martin said. "The way that they've stayed the course and continued believing in each other."

Abrams made four 3-pointers to break the Big 12 career mark of 338 he shared with Kansas' Jeff Boschee (1999-2002).