JimBob
02-11-2009, 10:35 AM
Cowboys capsize
Anderson scores 35; OSU gives up most points ever in the Travis Ford era
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 2/11/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 2/11/2009 4:07 AM
AUSTIN, Texas — You know you didn't get enough defensive stops when you shoot 52.2 percent from the field and get a career-high 35 points from James Anderson — and still lose by 25 points.
Texas ended a three-game losing streak at OSU's expense, shooting 63.3 percent from the field in the first half and a season-best 56.9 percent overall in a 99-74 runaway Tuesday night at the Erwin Center.
The Longhorns scored the most points against the Cowboys in the Travis Ford era and also dealt the Pokes their most lopsided defeat this season.
"I can't say we are the greatest defensive team in the world," Ford said. "But they made shots tonight. They played well."
The Longhorns exploited a size advantage to make 19 of their first 28 shots and score on 24 of their first 34 possessions. The Horns never had three consecutive scoreless possessions in the first half until their last three possessions before halftime.
The result was that OSU, which didn't want to fall into another big hole, did just that. The Cowboys were down by as many as 20 points in the first half. They have trailed by 14 or more points in six of the last seven games and usually charge back to make things interesting.
Not this time.
Despite the second-best point total by an OSU player ever against Texas (Anderson finished two points shy of Mario Boggan's 37-point triple-overtime performance two seasons ago), the Cowboys never got closer than 13 in the second half and trailed by as many as 32 points.
Texas had 96 points on the board with 3:31 remaining, when Rick Barnes emptied his bench. The victory, sparked by new starter Dogus Balbay, allowed the Horns to avoid their first four-game losing streak since the first four games of the Barnes regime in 1998.
"They played like a team that lost three games in a row," Ford said. "From the beginning, you could tell they were pumped up and ready to roll."
Texas improved to 16-7 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 games. OSU dropped to 14-9 and 3-6, despite Anderson and Byron Eaton combining for 53 points.
"We have got to have more help," Ford said. "We can't just have two guys show up for each game and that's what has been happening to us."
Four OSU post players — Marshall Moses, Malcoln Kirkland, Anthony Brown and Teeng Akol, combined for zero points, one rebound and 11 fouls.
Ford said his guys played hard. He said there is usually a game or two each season where things don't go your way. This was one of them. Ford said he can't pinpoint one or two things other than Texas played really well.
"There's a reason Texas was ranked fifth in the country at one time," he said. "They are good."
A.J. Abrams led five Longhorns in double figures with 20 points. Abrams shot 8-of-35 from the field and 1-of-19 from 3-point range in three games against OSU last season, but was 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc this time.
Anderson scores 35; OSU gives up most points ever in the Travis Ford era
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 2/11/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 2/11/2009 4:07 AM
AUSTIN, Texas — You know you didn't get enough defensive stops when you shoot 52.2 percent from the field and get a career-high 35 points from James Anderson — and still lose by 25 points.
Texas ended a three-game losing streak at OSU's expense, shooting 63.3 percent from the field in the first half and a season-best 56.9 percent overall in a 99-74 runaway Tuesday night at the Erwin Center.
The Longhorns scored the most points against the Cowboys in the Travis Ford era and also dealt the Pokes their most lopsided defeat this season.
"I can't say we are the greatest defensive team in the world," Ford said. "But they made shots tonight. They played well."
The Longhorns exploited a size advantage to make 19 of their first 28 shots and score on 24 of their first 34 possessions. The Horns never had three consecutive scoreless possessions in the first half until their last three possessions before halftime.
The result was that OSU, which didn't want to fall into another big hole, did just that. The Cowboys were down by as many as 20 points in the first half. They have trailed by 14 or more points in six of the last seven games and usually charge back to make things interesting.
Not this time.
Despite the second-best point total by an OSU player ever against Texas (Anderson finished two points shy of Mario Boggan's 37-point triple-overtime performance two seasons ago), the Cowboys never got closer than 13 in the second half and trailed by as many as 32 points.
Texas had 96 points on the board with 3:31 remaining, when Rick Barnes emptied his bench. The victory, sparked by new starter Dogus Balbay, allowed the Horns to avoid their first four-game losing streak since the first four games of the Barnes regime in 1998.
"They played like a team that lost three games in a row," Ford said. "From the beginning, you could tell they were pumped up and ready to roll."
Texas improved to 16-7 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 games. OSU dropped to 14-9 and 3-6, despite Anderson and Byron Eaton combining for 53 points.
"We have got to have more help," Ford said. "We can't just have two guys show up for each game and that's what has been happening to us."
Four OSU post players — Marshall Moses, Malcoln Kirkland, Anthony Brown and Teeng Akol, combined for zero points, one rebound and 11 fouls.
Ford said his guys played hard. He said there is usually a game or two each season where things don't go your way. This was one of them. Ford said he can't pinpoint one or two things other than Texas played really well.
"There's a reason Texas was ranked fifth in the country at one time," he said. "They are good."
A.J. Abrams led five Longhorns in double figures with 20 points. Abrams shot 8-of-35 from the field and 1-of-19 from 3-point range in three games against OSU last season, but was 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc this time.