SPOKANE, Wash. - Kevin Durant had reason to be nervous. It was his first NCAA Tournament game - and possibly his last.

At least that's how it looked until the Longhorns took control against the Aggies, thanks in part to their standout freshman.

Durant had 27 points, including hitting 11-of-12 free throws in the second half, and eight rebounds to lead Texas to a win in the first round.

"Durant's a pro," said New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus, a former NBA player, using the word no one in Texas wants to associate with Durant for at least another wondrous year in Austin.

"And pros know how to adjust. . . . I will tell you from my own personal experience that when you're able to draw fouls, you will be a great scorer."

Texas coach Rick Barnes would later say that before Durant's seventh consecutive 25-point game, he noticed Durant was "jumpy." But Durant looked cool down the stretch, especially from the foul line.

		FG	FT	Reb
N.M. ST.	Min	M-A	M-A	O-T	A	PF	Pts
Hawkins	29	4-8	3-4	0-2	3	4	11
Nelson	20	2-7	0-0	1-3	1	5	4
Passos	26	6-9	3-4	4-8	0	1	15
Ingram	36	6-14	0-0	1-6	5	1	16
Knauber	28	2-9	0-0	2-2	1	2	6
Fisher	18	0-3	0-0	0-4	1	2	0
Davis	2	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	0
Peete	18	1-4	2-2	0-1	3	2	5
Gibson	9	0-2	2-2	0-0	0	1	2
Iti	14	4-6	0-0	3-3	0	3	8
Totals	200	25-62	10-12	16-34	14	22	67

Percentages - FG .403, FT .833. Three-point goals - 7-25, .280 (Ingram 4-11, Knauber 2-8, Peete 1-2, Hawkins 0-2, Gibson 0-2). Team rebounds - 5. Blocked shots - 0. Turnovers - 17 (Hawkins 4, Ingram 3, Nelson 2, Fisher 2, Passos 2, Knauber 2, Iti, Peete). Steals - 5 (Hawkins 2, Ingram, Fisher, Iti). Technicals - Bench.

		FG	FT	Reb
TEXAS	Min	M-A	M-A	O-T	A	PF	Pts
James	16	1-3	0-0	1-3	0	4	2
Durant	38	6-13	15-16	3-8	1	1	27
Abrams	39	6-13	2-2	1-3	1	1	16
Augustin	40	6-12	6-6	0-3	7	1	19
Mason	29	1-2	2-2	0-0	2	1	4
Hill	2	0-0	0-0	0-1	0	0	0
Winder	8	2-3	0-0	0-0	0	1	4
Atchley	28	3-5	0-0	4-6	0	5	7
Totals	200	25-51	25-26	9-30	11	14	79

Percentages - FG .490, FT .962. Three-point goals - 4-16, .250 (Abrams 2-7, Atchley 1-2, Augustin 1-2, Mason 0-1, Durant 0-4). Team rebounds - 6. Blocked shots - 4 (Atchley 3, Durant). Turnovers - 15 (Durant 5, Atchley 3, James 3, Abrams 2, Augustin 2). Steals - 8 (Abrams 3, Durant 3, Augustin 2). Technicals - None.

New Mexico State......30 37 - 67

Texas ......33 46 - 79

A - NA. Officials - Robert Donato, Roger Ayers, Raymond Perone.

Back to Top