Seniors James and Pittman show freshmen how it’s done in No. 3 Texas’ 89-42 win over UC-Irvine

James and Pittman lead No. 3 Texas in 89-42 win

AUSTIN, Texas — Damion James had 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 3 Texas to a season-opening 89-42 victory over UC-Irvine on Sunday.

Dexter Pittman added 21 points for the Longhorns (1-0). Pittman and James had flirted with going to the NBA after last season, but returned to play their senior seasons with one of the nation’s top freshman classes.

Freshman J’Covan Brown started at point guard for Texas and finished with 13 points but had no assists after several early turnovers. Brown and Jordan Hamilton hit 3-pointers to spark a 21-0 Texas run in the first half.

Hamilton finished with 12 points and Avery Bradley scored 10, most coming after Texas had the game in control.

Zack Atkinson scored 10 points to lead UC-Irvine (1-1).

Texas coach Rick Barnes sprinkled his much-hyped freshman class throughout the lineup. The start was a bit ragged.

Brown looked nervous and two quick turnovers in the first 2 minutes quickly sent him back to the bench. He finished with five turnovers.

Bradley, considered the top player in the freshman group, got in the game 4 minutes in, but misfired on his first couple of shots and didn’t make his first basket until a steal and dunk with 3:26 left in the half. Bradley won the McDonald’s All-America dunk contest in high school but kept his first college slam pretty simple without any showboating.

The early miscues forced Pittman and James to make sure Texas didn’t fall far behind and they scored 15 of Texas’ first 18 points. Aided by the Texas mistakes, UC-Irvine led 19-18 before the freshmen finally shook off the first-game jitters.

Brown started the big run with a 3-pointer and Hamilton’s 3 a couple of minutes later made it 26-19. James and Pittman dunked before another 3-pointer by James put Texas up by 20.

James had 15 points and Pittman scored 13 in the half before Brown’s second 3-pointer with 48 seconds left made it 42-21 at halftime.

UC-Irvine had no way to match up with the 6-foot-10, 290-pound Pittman, who scored at will on 10-of-11 shooting. Pittman scored Texas’ first two baskets after halftime and his dunk off a steal by Justin Mason put the Longhorns up 57-29.

Once the game was in control, the freshmen looked much more comfortable. Brown finished with four 3-pointers and Hamilton and Bradley showed off with two flashy dunks.

Texas shot 57 percent for the game and outrebounded UC-Irvine 49-30.