James gets 40th double-double, guard Brown hurt in No. 2 Texas’ 87-54 win over TexasState

James’ 40th double-double leads No. 2 Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Damion James got his 40th career double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds, leading No. 2 Texas to an 87-54 victory over Texas State on Saturday.

Avery Bradley added 15 points in a win that could be costly for the Longhorns (8-0).

Freshman J’Covan Brown, who has started four games at guard for Texas this season, had to be helped off the court about 6 minutes into the second half and was favoring his left leg after a fall near the basket. Trainers wrapped the ankle and he left the court on crutches a few minutes later.

Brown, who came in averaging 12.6 points, had switched his jersey from No. 14 to No. 50 for the rest of the season to honor teammate Varez Ward, who was lost for the season with a thigh injury in pregame warmups last month.

J.B. Conley had 10 points to lead Texas State (3-7).

Texas has won its first eight games by at least 15 points, the first time that’s happened.

Texas missed its first three shots before James converted a tough, spinning layup by practically throwing the ball behind his head. It dropped through the rim and James spun around again, this time punching the air with both fists.

That basket woke up the Texas offense and the Longhorns raced to a 20-6 lead. Brown, Bradley and Jordan Hamilton all made 3-pointers in the run.

Texas held the Bobcats to 8-of-34 shooting in the first half. Dexter Pittman had two early blocks and the Longhorns held Texas State scoreless for stretches of 5 minutes and 4 minutes.

Bradley made another 3-pointer and Hamilton made two straight baskets to put Texas up 35-12. The Longhorns scored 20 points off 13 turnovers in the first half.

In the second, a blocked shot by Justin Mason led to an easy pass from Bradley to James for a dunk. Texas State made one of its first nine shots in the second half and managed just two points over the first 5 minutes as Texas quickly built the lead to 57-26.

Brown was hurt on a drive to the left side of the basket and appeared to roll his ankle when he landed. He immediately flopped to the ground and didn’t try to get up. When got to the bench, he held both hands over his face while trainers wrapped the ankle.

If Brown is forced to miss games, it would be yet another hit to the impressive guard depth Texas enjoyed when the season began. But the Longhorns get to add a player within a few days. Jai Lucas, a transfer from Florida, will be eligible to play Dec. 19 against North Carolina.

(This version CORRECTS that Lucas is eligible on Dec. 19).)