The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Men's Basketball downs Baylor, 73-57
03.02.2009 | Men's Basketball
March 2, 2009
Box Score 
| Box Score | 
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Dexter Pittman scored 16 points, sending Texas to a 73-57 win over Baylor on Monday night, the Longhorns' 24th straight win over the Bears.
A.J. Abrams and Justin Mason each scored 14 points for the Longhorns (20-9, 9-6 Big 12), who haven't lost to Baylor since the 1997-98 season, the last before coach Rick Barnes took over the Texas program. The win also guaranteed Texas a winning record in the Big 12, solidifying their position for an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament.
LaceDarius Dunn scored 15 points for the Bears (17-12, 5-10), who have been in a free-fall the season after making the NCAA tournament for the first time in 20 years. Baylor lost its sixth straight Big 12 road game and has lost 9 of its last 11 games overall.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
- Reached 20 wins for the 10th consecutive season, extending the UT record (previous: four 1988-89 to 1991-92)
- Reached nine Big 12 wins in every year of the Rick Barnes era
- Texas is 61-5 at home in the last four years with A.J. Abrams and Connor Atchley, including 29-3 in Big 12 play
- Texas is 24-0 against Baylor in the Rick Barnes era and is 155-75 overall
- Texas 93-10 against in-state foes in the Barnes era
- Texas outrebounded its opponent for the 24th time in 29 games
- Baylor's 57 points were a season low for Texas opponents in Big 12 play
- Held an opponent to under 40 percent shooting for the 15th time this season (12-3 record)
- Held an opponent to under 60 points for the eighth time this season (7-1 record)
- Held Baylor to 24 points in the first half in both meetings this season
- Opened on an 8-1 run in the first 4:31 of the first half.
- Justin Mason and Dexter Pittman combined for 16 of Texas' first 22 points
A.J. Abrams
- Moved into a tie for fifth on the career Big 12 games played list with his 138th, matching Aaron Miles (Kansas, 2001-05); also extended his own UT record
- Moved alone into seventh on the UT career steals list with 166, passing Roderick Anderson (165, 1994-95) and Joey Wright (165, 1989-91)
- Increased his Big 12 career record for 3-point field goals to 372
- Scored in double figures for the 21st time this season and the 89th time in his career
Dogus Balbay
- Started his sixth straight game and has recorded 43 assists to 12 turnovers in those games
- Scored at least six points in five of the last seven games
Clint Chapman
- Has scored at least six points in two of the last three games
- Matched his career high with three made FGs (vs. Texas Tech, 2-25-09)
Damion James
- Scored moved to fourth on the UT career rebounds list with 921, passing Ron Baxter (916, 1977-80)
- Reached double figures in rebounding for the 16th time this season and 46th time in his career; also in six straight games and 10 of the last 11
- Pulled down at least seven rebounds for the 23rd time in 29 games this season
Justin Mason
- Reached double figures at the 9:06 mark of the first half, it was the seventh time this season and the 28th of his career
- His 14 points are his highest total since scoring 15 at Texas Tech on Jan. 17
- Scored seven points in the first 8:22 of the game, matching his game high in the last eight contests
Dexter Pittman
- Celebrated his 21st birthday today; shares the birthday with grandmother, Martha Pittman, who passed away Feb. 12 and would have been 73. Dexter attended her funeral Feb. 21 prior to returning to Austin for Texas' 73-68 win over No. 2 Oklahoma.
- Scored in double figures for the 11th time this season and the 15th time in his career
- His 16 points are the fifth-highest total of his career
- Made 7-of-8 FGs
- Has collected 34 rebounds in the last four games
- Has collected at least five rebounds in five straight games
- Entered the game off the bench and pulled down three rebounds in his first three minutes
Harrison Smith
- Has recorded 18 of his 46 career points and 11 of his 33 career rebounds in the last two games.
- The 18 points are better than his freshman season (8), sophomore season (15) and this season's totals prior to the two games (5)
- The 11 rebounds are also better than his freshman season (7), sophomore season (7) and this season's totals prior to the two games (8)
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Rick Barnes
On tonight's win: This time of year you want to be playing the best basketball. I'm happy for our seniors that they got their 20 wins and tonight I'm happy with a lot of things. I thought Justin Mason was terrific and I thought what we did was really good. When I talked to the team on Sunday, I asked them where they were mentally. We talked about it and I thought they came out tonight with a good attitude. Everybody wanted to do what they do best. Justin [Mason] attacked, Dogus [Balbay] had good control and A.J. [Abrams] didn't force any shots.
On the seniors: I'm not sure people will ever appreciate what they did do. A.J . has had a tremendous run. So many things have happened to Connor [Atchley] this year and I still believe that before all is said and done, good things will happen to him.
On Justin Mason: That is the Justin Mason we've seen for the most part of his career. Defensively I thought we was good but on the offensive end I thought he did a great job with power drives and creating plays for his teammates. Throughout the game he continued to stay aggressive.
SENIOR GUARD A.J. Abrams
On their game plan: We knew coming in that a big part of the game was trying to get Baylor's guards under control and Dogus [Balbay] and Justin [Mason] made sure that they didn't get comfortable early in the game.
On Justin Mason: He did a good job. He attacked the paint and that is what we have needed him to do all year. He was aggressive and if he continues to play like he did tonight, he will give us a better game for the rest of the season.
JUNIOR GUARD Justin Mason
On scoring 14 points: The first half we knew that Baylor was going to come out, really guard A.J. [Abrams] and make sure he didn't get an early start. I was just taking my looks and Coach has talked to me about being more aggressive. He wanted me to be more involved in the offense and it worked today.
On the seniors: Connor [Atchley] and A.J. [Abrams] have done a lot for the program in terms of bringing it where it is right now. They've been to two Elite Eights and you can't say enough about what they bring to the program
On tonight's win: This is one of the toughest conferences all the time and to get the ninth win is big but we still have a big game coming up in Lawrence.
JUNIOR CENTER Dexter Pittman
On the seniors: I'm going to miss A.J. [Abrams] and Connor [Atchley]. Connor helped me fight through a lot of things and they have both put a lot of blood sweat and tears into the program. I told A.J. I was going to go out there and play hard for his last home game.
On the game plan: We knew what we had to do. We had to pound the ball inside and get in the paint.
BAYLOR QUOTES
HEAD COACH SCOTT DREW
Opening statement: I thought Texas showed us what we need to do with our senior night this Saturday. I thought they came out and dictated the tempo and pace. We knew they were going to go inside and that's what they did in the first half. I thought we did a good job containing A.J. and Damion [James]. I don't think you can win on the road by shooting 31 percent from the field. We had some open looks tonight, but we missed those opportunities.
On the Texas pressure: That's just their style. They do a good job dictating the pace. We like when C.J. is going in and able to make plays. At the same time, we didn't run as much offense and didn't get the ball inside as much as we'd like to. We had opportunities, but we didn't have a chance to capitalize on those opportunities. We held them to 41 percent shooting in the second half, and I think that's good enough to win on the road, but again, you can't shoot 31 percent and expect to win.
On Dexter Pittman: Pittman is a very talented scorer and we knew that coming in. But, you know when a player is good when you know what he is going to do coming into the ball game and he still has a good night.
SENIOR GUARD CURTIS JERRELLS
On if it was frustrating trailing the whole game: That's exactly what it was. I think we were trailing the whole game. Texas went up early and it was just tough to try to get back in it.
On what they take from this game: It's tough. But we have one more on Saturday. We have to put this one behind us and just move forward. We have to get ready for the Big 12 Tournament.
On containing A.J. Abrams but giving points to other players: It's a little frustrating, but that's what we wanted to do. We wanted to take him out of the game, but their other guys stepped up. Their Big 12 athletes, and they were performing.
SOPHOMORE GUARD LACEDARIUS DUNN
On Texas' defense: They pushed our guards. They did a great job coming out and pressuring us and taking us out of our offense. Our guards had to just take what they gave us, but they did a good job pressuring us.
On their offense tonight: Unfortunately, they knew we could shoot the three, so we can resort to driving. Coach just kept telling us to drive the ball because our three ball wasn't there. So that's what we were trying to do tonight.
On the Texas guards: They contested our shots all night, and I have to give them credit for that. They kept pressuring us and contested our shots and we never got a clean look at the basket.
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