Durant leads No. 25 Texas past Missouri

Jan 11, 2007, 3:50 GMT

Austin, TX - Freshman sensation Kevin Durant erupted for 34 points, 10 rebounds and three assists to guide No. 25 Texas past Missouri, 88-68, at Frank Erwin Center.

Durant was a scorching 10-of-14 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line for the Longhorns (12-3, 2-0 Big 12), who improved to 9-0 at home this season.

A.J. Abrams added 16 points while D.J. Augustin donated 13 points and six assists.

Marshall Brown netted a team-best 24 points and Stefhon Hannah scored 15 for Missouri (11-4, 0-2), which was coming off a 66-65 loss to Iowa State on Saturday.

The Tigers took a 2-0 advantage on a Leo Lyons layup in the opening seconds of the game, but never led again.

Texas went in front moments later and continued to pull away as the first half wore on, using a 13-2 burst to go up 28-12.

Missouri was unable to make any kind of significant run in the opening 20 minutes, and a pair of Augustin free throws with four ticks on the clock gave the home team a 44-26 lead at the break.

The margin was extended to 24 points, 53-29, less than four minutes into the second half following an Abrams three-pointer.

The Tigers were able to get the deficit back down into the teens, but the outcome was never in question.

Game Notes

Texas has won the last nine meetings with Missouri to take an 11-8 lead in the all-time series between the teams.

Texas was 12-of-23 from three-point range (52 percent), while Missouri was just 7-of-22 (32 percent).

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