Team play key for Aggies
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By LARRY BOWEN
Eagle Staff Writer

Acie Law and Kevin Durant were brilliant, but the Lone Star Showdown might have been misnamed. There were lots of stars on display in Texas A&M's 100-82 victory over Texas on Monday night.

Josh Carter was dazzling and reserves Donald Sloan and Bryan Davis sparkled as the sixth-ranked Aggies tightened their hold on the Big 12 basketball lead before a record Reed Arena crowd of 13,196 and a national television audience.

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Buy this photo Eagle Photo/Butch Ireland Texas A&M's Joseph Jones shoots over Texas' Connor Atchley (center) and Dexter Pittman. Jones, who was plagued by foul trouble throughout the contest, had just five points in the game.

Carter and the two freshmen combined for 43 points and a huge helping of second-half stability as the Aggies overcame an injury to Law, serious foul trouble and a big night by Durant.

"Three guys grew up," A&M coach Billy Gillispie said. "That's what I believe Josh can be on a daily basis. Sloan and Davis received a lot of attention before they got here, and they showed you why."

Law, A&M's top scorer, left the court briefly after suffering an injury midway through the second half. Second-leading scorer Joseph Jones and defensive stopper Dominique Kirk fouled out and missed the last 6 minutes, but the Aggies finished the game with a 24-9 rush.

Carter sparked the offense, scoring 16 of his 24 points in the second half when the Aggies needed his points desperately. The junior guard made a 3-pointer after the Longhorns took their only lead at 58-57, and he slashed to the basket for four more scores in the last 9 minutes.

The Aggies got good production inside from Antanas Kavaliauskas, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds, but still, the Aggies needed more. They got it from freshman backups Sloan and Davis.

Sloan, the likely successor to Law at point guard next year, hit a big 3-pointer to put the Aggies ahead to stay at 63-60. Sloan took over when Law limped to the dressing room with 10:14 left, providing confidence and a couple of big drives to the basket down the stretch on his way to 11 points.

Davis was forced into action with Jones and the Aggie big men in foul trouble, and the 6-foot-9 forward came through big-time. Davis scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds, helping A&M pull away with a couple of strong inside moves for baskets and four free throws in the last 9 minutes.

"The guys took it upon themselves to make plays. That's what did it for us," Law said. "Sloan came in huge. Bryan Davis had a big game."

"We had a good chance," UT guard D.J. Augustin said. "Some guys came in for them and stepped up and played good."

Durant and Augustin are part of a heralded freshman class for the Longhorns. A&M's freshmen have not gotten as much acclaim, but they got the job done Monday in front of ESPN announcer Dick Vitale, who likes to refer to talented freshmen as Diaper Dandies.

"They've got great freshmen over there, but we have some good ones ourselves," Gillispie said. "I'm really proud of them stepping up in such a big game."

Law returned to the game with a limp at the 7:29 mark, primarily distributing the ball and providing a calming influence. He scored two points after going back into the game, but still finished with 21 points and tied a school record with 15 assists.

"I'm impressed with Ace Law as much as any player since I've been at Texas," UT coach Rick Barnes said. "I'm not sure he hasn't improved more than any player since I've been coach."

Durant scored 28 points and had 15 rebounds. It was the most points scored against the Aggies this season, topping the 24 points by LSU's Glen Davis.

The first half was a showcase for the team leaders, with Law and Durant both having moments of brilliance.

Law, who was honored before the game for being a scholar-athlete, got the Aggies off to a great start. The senior hit consecutive 3-pointers in the middle of the first half as A&M built a 34-20 lead that had the crowd in a frenzy.