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Abrams' shooting helps Texas outlast LSU

Dec 11, 2006 - 3:53 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- One of the few players left to remember Texas' disappointment from the NCAA Tournament last season, A.J. Abrams got even with Louisiana State.

Abrams hit a pair of 3-pointers in overtime as the Longhorns captured a thrilling 76-75 victory over the 11th-ranked Tigers.

The veteran presence on a team that starts four freshmen, the sophomore Abrams was a reserve last year when Texas missed out on a chance to reach the Final Four due to a 70-60 overtime loss to LSU in the Atlanta Regional final.

With the matchup between the two teams needing extra time for the third straight meeting, the Tigers (5-2) appeared as if they would take control again after Glen Davis bulldozed his way for a layup inside the opening minute and Tack Minor added a floater in the lane to make it 72-68 with 3:03 to play.

Freshman D.J. Augustin came back with a driving layup and Abrams sank his second 3-pointer of the game from the left wing after a missed jumper by Davis.

Although Tasmin Mitchell answered back with a shot from the arc, Abrams hit another from the same spot moments later to give the Longhorns (6-2) a 76-75 edge with 1:04 remaining.

Shooting 6-of-14 from the field, Abrams ended up with 18 points.

Davis, who finished with 21 points, came up short on two shots and Garrett Temple missed from deep before Texas freshman Damion James was fouled on the rebound.

Showing some of the Longhorns' inexperience, James missed both free throws, giving the Tigers a chance to win the game with 11 seconds left. However, Temple took an ill-advised 3-pointer from well beyond the key and Texas came away with the rebound and the win.

Augustin scored a season-high 25 points and fellow first-year player Kevin Durant had 10 and 11 rebounds for Texas, which was leading, 68-65, with 41 seconds left in regulation after Connor Atchley split two free throws.

Despite being bothered by the Longhorns' 2-3 zone for most of the game, the Tigers swung the ball around before Temple sank the tying 3-pointer with 20 seconds left.

Augustin missed a jumper and Atchley was unable to get a last-second follow shot to stay down before the buzzer.

A native of New Orleans who was displaced to Texas because of Hurricane Katrina, Augustin was forced to leave the game about 4 1/2 minutes into the second half when he twisted his left ankle following a drive to the basket.

The 5-11 guard returned about two minutes later, finishing 9-of-16 from the field with five assists.

Constantly finding a way to the basket, Augustin helped pick up his well-known teammate Durant, who made just 2-of-8 shots after intermission.

It was the first time in six games that Durant, who was tabbed as the preseason Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year, failed to score at least 20 points.

James added 10 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double for Texas, which held a slim 49-46 advantage on the boards and shot 43 percent (29-of-68) from the field.

Davis, who finished 8-of-20 from the floor, grabbed 10 rebounds for LSU, which shot just 35 percent (27-of-76) but was able to hang around thanks to 19 offensive boards.

Mitchell had 23 points, 10 boards and six assists and Temple scored 14 for LSU, which lost to Texas for the first time in four meetings.