Texas struggles to 78-73 win over Incarnate Word
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Kendal Yancy made two late free throws, then followed with a tough layup in the final minute to send No. 21 Texas to a 78-73 season-opening win over Incarnate Word on Friday night.
Texas led by 16 early in the second half before Incarnate Word rallied to lead 67-66 on Sam Burmeister's 3-pointer with 2:30 to play.
Yancy got to the line for the lead, then made it 70-67 with a twisting layup around two defenders with 49 seconds left. He finished with 19 points.
Freshman Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Texas, which has an entirely new starting lineup after making the NCAA Tournament last season.
Texas had just 10 players in uniform against Incarnate Word as guard Kerwin Roach Jr., and small forward Tevin Mack were suspended for the first game for a rules violation during the offseason. Roach is expected to start at point guard when he returns.
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Texas Tech beats Houston Baptist 93-67 in Chris Beard coaching debut
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Keenan Evans scored 28 points to lead Texas Tech over Houston Baptist 93-67 on Friday to clinch a victory for new Red Raiders coach Chris Beard on opening night.
"Today was about our players," Beard said. "I'm really proud of my association with Texas Tech and I'm proud at the idea that I came back to a place I love. But I'm not the story, the story is the players. We've got guys out there wearing the jerseys tonight. They're unselfish, and they bought in. They're here for the right reasons. They're all good students and good people. Tonight was their story, and I thought it was a good story."
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Jamie Dixon wins coaching debut with alma mater TCU
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Jamie Dixon didn't even notice that he wasn't introduced before his coaching debut at his alma mater, TCU.
He was a little caught up in the "fun, weird, strange, different," as he called it in coming back to the school he helped lead as a player to its most recent NCAA Tournament win almost 30 years ago.
And before an 82-64 win over the NAIA's St. Thomas on Friday night, Dixon was coming to grips with the fact that he really had left Pittsburgh, where he was head coach the past 13 seasons and on the staff for 17.
"Seventeen years is a long time, and you only have one way," Dixon said. "It just feels so different. It's home, but the arena's so different. I think walking in before was probably the time it really hit me. I think that was it, walking in and walking by the football stadium and walking through here."
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Oklahoma State over Campbell in Underwood debut
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Jawun Evans scored 34 points and Oklahoma State beat Campbell 102-65 on Friday night, giving head coach Brad Underwood a win in his Cowboys debut.
Evans, who was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season despite missing the final 10 games with a shoulder injury, had 26 points at halftime and finished 11 for 18 from the field, with six rebounds, three assists and five steals.
"Just taking what they give me," Evan said of his big night. "My teammates put me in a better spot. I just tried to pick us up and get us rolling. Just a great night for us. We started out kind of slow. As a team, we got some key guys come in and pick up the defense."
