The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas A&M
Men's Basketball Tops Texas A&M, 61-51
01.11.2012 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2012
Box Score 
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Julien Lewis scored 16 points to help Texas beat Texas A&M 61-51 on Wednesday night in what may be the last contest in Austin in the 95-year-old rivalry.
The schools meet in College Station on Feb. 6, but after that, they are not scheduled to play each other as non-conference opponents once A&M joins the Southeastern Conference later this year.
J'Covan Brown had 14 points and Clint Chapman added 11 for the Longhorns (12-4, 2-1), who improved to 136-85 in a series that dates back to 1917.
Khris Middleton scored 19 points as the Aggies (9-6, 0-3) fell into a tie for last place in the Big 12, a long way from their preseason No. 20 ranking.
Texas converted just two field goals in the game's first 10 minutes but still led 10-8 midway through the first half, and Lewis had 10 points to help the Longhorns go into intermission up 26-24.
Texas 61, Texas A&M 51
January 11, 2012
Frank Erwin Center - Austin, Texas
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
- Texas now holds a 136-85 lead in its all-time series against Texas A&M
- Texas is 11-0 in home contests this season.
- Texas has posted a 117-15 (.886) record against in-state foes, including a 22-7 mark against Texas A&M, during the Rick Barnes era
- Texas improves to 103-9 (.920) at the Erwin Center in the last seven seasons [dating back to the start of the 2005-06 season] and 193-24 (.889) at the Erwin Center under Rick Barnes.
- Texas has held its last 12 opponents to an average of 57.8 points per game; its last nine opponents have shot 36.3% from the field (236-of-650)
- Texas now has held 224 of its 461 opponents to under 40% FG shooting during the Rick Barnes era.
- Texas trailed Texas A&M, 35-34 in the second half before going on a 9-0 run over a 1:48 span to assume a 43-35 lead.
- Texas holds a 6.0-1.0 lead in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown standings.
- UT's last two opponents have averaged only 50 points and have recorded a 12-to-38 assists-to-turnovers ratio in the two games.
- UT made more free throws than its opponent attempted (22-16) for the fourth time this season (4-0 record in those games)
INDIVIDUAL
- Reached double figures in scoring (14 points) for the 14th time this season and the 47th time in his career; added six assists and six rebounds.
- With his 14 points, Brown stands 17 points away (983 points) from 1,000 points for his career.
- His six assists marked his highest single-game total since the N.C. State game (Nov. 21)
-Reached double figures in scoring (11 points) for the second time this season
- Reached double figures in scoring (16 points) for the seventh time this season and the first time since the Texas State game (Dec. 10)
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening statement: I thought we competed the way we need to compete with our effort. We got in foul trouble a little bit that resulted in Texas being at the line but with that we have to give Texas credit. (Julien) Lewis was a big key. We did a good job on (J'Covan) Brown, but Texas had someone step up and play well. Overall, we have to make one-and-ones, lay-ups and other opportunities to score. Texas did good things and made it difficult for us at times.
On Texas defense: Texas is a very good defensive team. They are aggressive and physical. Fortunately, we were able to get to the line with some plays. In the second half, their big guys wore us down a little bit. We do not have as much depth as they do, and they do not have as much depth as they want. But, they are great defensively.
FORWARD KHRIS MIDDLETON
On his aggressiveness in this game: I try to play my game and not force things too much. I think it worked, but in the second half I forced some things that should not have been forced. I missed free throws that should have been made.
TEXAS COACH QUOTES
HEAD COACH Rick Barnes
On playing against a stingy Texas A&M defense: Texas A&M is hard and they're tough. There were a lot of loose ball rebounds, and that's to their credit. It was two teams out there that defend really hard, and we knew that coming in. But, from a team standpoint, every guy that played for us played really hard. Julien [Lewis] got pretty good looks and stayed after it. I thought the play that Sterling [Gibbs] made (second-half steal and layup) was a huge play. Jonathan [Holmes] played limited minutes, but he played hard. That's way we want it done. Myck [Kabongo] got in some foul trouble. But what he was doing early - pushing the ball - wears on people. We got 24 points from our bench. We got 20 points inside against a team that can defend in there. It was a good win for us.
On Texas' big plays on defense: We talk about the importance of the little things, whether you take a charge or block a shot. I think this team has already taken more charges than any of my teams in the past. We don't have a lot of size. But their guy steps in, or our guy steps in to take a charge. Those are huge plays, just huge plays. We've got to have them from our guys. I think we had a really hard fought win. We were fortunate to get the win.
On team's progress through three conference games: I think our guys are learning to play. We spent a lot of time the last few days in the film room, a lot more time than they wanted. It was a lot more time than I wanted. We did something that we've never done. We always have breakfast for the guys before these games. We had breakfast, but then we walked through some things. Then, we came back in the afternoon and walked through again. I know we've never done that. I said, "We're going to do it until we learn it." We've got to learn to execute what to do. But, the fact is they really tried hard tonight. For guys like Sheldon [McClellan] and Julien [Lewis], they played harder defensively in the last couple of games than they ever have in their life.
TEXAS PLAYER QUOTES
SENIOR FORWARD/CENTER Clint Chapman
On the team's aggressiveness tonight: I think from the get-go, we knew we had to be physical because they (Texas A&M) come and get offense boards. They duck in hard. They play tough inside, so from the get-go, we knew we'd have to have a real physical presence. I think between Lexi's [Wangmene] minutes in the second half and mine, we really decided that on one end of the court they weren't going to get anything. On the other end, we were going to get as much as we could. We weren't going to back down. I think it would have been nice to have been a little more physical in the first half, but I think Lexi's minutes early in the second half really sparked some huge plays for us.
On his emotional presence: It really just comes from my team. I've always been an emotional guy. My few years here previously, Coach (Barnes) has always talked about my energy on the bench and in the game. When guys are rolling and you're happy about what other guys are doing on your team, and they see that energy, it helps. I know that's how I feel when I see guys get excited and understand that they're excited about plays that I make. I want to do the same thing for them.
On his two charges tonight: I mean, first off, I thought I should have had three. The one at the end was a tough call. Two was good enough. Early in the season, we stressed taking hits to show you're going to sacrifice your body for the team. It took me a while to get into it, but now I see exactly what I was talking about, about how much energy comes off the bench when I take a hit like that. Not only does it get me excited, but it gets the fans excited. It's just something that can really bring your team to the next level.
FRESHMAN GUARD Julien Lewis
On his preparation for tonight: I just get ready each day, get my body ready. Overall, my teammates keep me involved a lot. We played well. We did a great job out there.
On the extra practice time he's been putting in: Yeah, I've put a lot of time in. It's helped me get better each day. Each time I go out there and perform, I do it from practice. You practice hard, you play hard.
On three-point baskets from the corners: That's my rhythm shot. I like the corner shot. I can shoot anywhere, but that corner shot, that's my spot.
On defending Texas A&M's Khris Middleton: (Khris) Middleton is a great player. He's great offensively. Tonight I had to fight against him. I had to show him how great of a defensive player I am. We're not going to give him something easy today.
