The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Arkansas
Men's Basketball downs Arkansas, 80-76
12.20.2006 | Men's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Justin Mason's driving layup and free throw with 12 seconds left sent Texas to an 80-76 win over Arkansas on Wednesday night as the two old Southwest Conference schools met for the first time since 1991.
Arkansas had taken a 76-75 lead just seconds earlier when Sonny Weems scored on an inbounds pass near the basket. Texas got the ball to Mason, who drove the lane, hit the layup and drew the foul on Weems.
Gary Ervin drew a foul with five seconds left but missed the two free throws that would have tied it at 78-78.
Kevin Durant, who led Texas with 28 points and 13 rebounds, then hit two free throws to seal the win for the Longhorns (8-2).
Charles Thomas and Patrick Beverley each scored 19 to lead the Razorbacks (8-3).
It was the first meeting between the old SWC rivals since "Tournament" Tom Penders and "Strollin"' Nolan Richardson were coaching the Longhorns and Razorbacks through some entertaining basketball. The last time they met, Arkansas rolled to a 120-89 win in the SWC championship game.
This one didn't produce those kind of fireworks but brought plenty of drama to the renewed rivalry by going down to the wire.
Durant scored 15 points in the second half. D.J. Augustin added 16 points. Mason finished with 10 points for Texas.
The Razorbacks opened the second half with a 16-6 run that quieted the home crowd. Beverley hit a pair of 3-pointers from the wing when Durant got stuck on defense under the basket, and Weems drove the baseline for a fist-pumping dunk as Arkansas took a 53-47 lead.
It didn't last long. Durant scored two straight baskets and Augustin drove the baseline for a layup and then hit a 3-pointer. Durant's one-handed baseline jam capped the rally that retook the lead, 58-55.
But the Razorbacks kept finding soft spots in Texas' perimeter defense. Beverley and Weems connected for two more 3-pointers from the corners to keep Texas from pulling away.
Arkansas led 69-68 before A.J. Abrams, Texas' best long-range shooter, hit his second 3-pointer of the half for a 71-69 Texas lead with just over three minutes to play.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Kevin Durant logged his fifth double-double of the season with 26 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
- Kevin Durant logged a career-high and team season-high 10 field goals.
- Kevin Durant has reached the 20-point plateau in eight of his 10 games this season and the freshman has tallied double digits in the scoring column in every game.
- In the last three games, D.J. Augustin's scoring production has taken off as he is averaging 21.7 points per game. He scored a career-high 25 in UT's win over No. 9 LSU and followed with 24 against Texas State and 16 against Arkansas. During the span, Augustin is shooting 20-of-34 (58.8%) from the field and 21-of-22 (95.5%) from the charity stripe. He averaged 9.3 points in his first seven games.
- The win marked the first time on the season that the Longhorns posted a victory when their opponent held the advantage in rebounds. Arkansas held a 41-36 advantage in rebounds.
- Connor Atchley equaled a career-high with his four blocks. Atchley had previously blocked four shots in this season's opening win over Alcorn State.
- D.J. Augustin equaled a career-high with four steals. Augustin had previously recorded four steals on two separate occasions.
- Texas starts a home slate with a 6-0 record for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
- The Longhorns are 65-4 (.942) at the Erwin Center over the last five seasons.
- Kevin Durant missed as many free throws vs. Arkansas (four) as he had missed on the entire season entering the contest. He entered the contest shooting 43-of-47 (91.5%) from the foul line and hit 7-of-11 (63.6%) against the Razorbacks.
- A.J. Abrams has made at least three 3-pointers in eight of the first 10 games.
- Texas has had at least one player reach the 20-point plateau in all 10 games on the season.
- Justin Mason ended the contest with a career-high seven assists. Mason's previous high was four assists against Gonzaga.
- The seven freshmen combined to log 59 of the 80 points (73.8%), 30 of the 32 rebounds (93.8%) and 11 of the 11 assists (100.0%).
ARKANSAS POSTGAME QUOTES
Stan Heath, Head Coach
On Texas' Kevin Durant: We didn't have much of an answer for him. He is a special, special player, and I think he was the difference in the game, along with some of the other guys stepping up big.
On Texas' last possession: I do not think anyone in the building thought that [Justin Mason] was going to take that shot, but that is no disrespect to him. He just made a great drive and a great play for them. The last thing I thought would happen would be someone driving in on a zone defense.
Charles Thomas, Junior Forward
On Durant: He really got it going in the second half. No matter who we put on him, he is just a big-time player.
On the loss: We didn't get the win and we really don't want a moral victory, but at the same time, a lot of good came out of this as well. Everybody just stepped up, and my whole team really grew up tonight.
TEXAS POSTGAME QUOTES
Rick Barnes, Head Coach
On the game: Justin (Mason) and Connor (Atchley) were both great tonight. When people talk about Texas they talk about D.J. (Augustin), A.J. (Abrams) and Kevin (Durant). Justin except for one game has been our most consistent player.
On getting the ball to Kevin (Durant) in the second half: We started to run some isolation plays for him. We want him to have the ball. Connor (Atchley) did a good job of looking for him and we put Justin (Mason) on the inside to work the baseline. We got a little stagnate up front and we took a couple shots that we shouldn't, but it was a good win for us.
Kevin Durant, Freshman Forward
On the crowd: Our fans are behind us 100%. We were down but they were still loud and behind us cheering for baskets and disrupting Arkansas. It's a great atmosphere in there.
On if Texas is on a roll: Every day we want to get better. This wasn't a great game for me, but we still won the game. We need to come in tomorrow and work on things to prepare for Tennessee.
D.J. Augustin, Freshman Guard
On Arkansas defense in the second half: Arkansas was playing good D. They were playing down on Kevin and a box-and-one on A.J. so I decided to pull up and take a shot which Coach (Barnes) has been telling me to do.
A.J. Abrams, Sophomore Guard
On getting shots in the second half: They were changing their D from man to zone to guard us late in the second half and my teammates did a good job of getting me the ball quickly so I could get shots off.
