Austin, Texas ? If this really were Kevin Durant’s last home game at Texas, the Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies sure made it fun.
And the Aggies’ Acie Law nearly spoiled the party.
Durant had 30 points and 16 rebounds to help No. 15 Texas outlast No. 7 Texas A&M, 98-96, in double overtime Wednesday night, denying the Aggies their chance to clinch a share of their first Big 12 title.
The win keeps the Longhorns (22-7, 12-3) within sight of the conference title, which they can share with a win Saturday at No. 3 Kansas University. A KU win gives the Jayhawks the title outright.
“I’m not sure there’s ever been a bigger basketball game for both teams,” Texas coach Rich Barnes said. “I’ve got respect for both teams they way they laid it out there tonight.”
By the time it was over, pockets of Longhorns fans were chanting “Three more years!” hoping Durant might stick around instead of heading for the NBA after this season. Many expect he’ll only play one college season, although he has not publicly committed to leave or stay.
Law forced both overtimes with three-pointers. His first over Durant with 1.1 seconds left in regulation tied it at 78. He did it again when he hit another with 26 seconds left in the first overtime to make it 88-all.
“He just takes over games at the end,” Durant said of Law. “He’s a great player. Me and Acie are real good friends. It was fun going back and forth.”
It looked like Law would do it again when he drove to the basket for a tying layup at the end of the second, but his shot was blocked by Damion James with 15 seconds left.
Durant hit three of four free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Law finished with 33 points for A&M (24-5, 12-3).
Missouri 91, Colorado 82
Columbia, Mo. – Marcus Watkins made his first start of the season on senior night and had career highs with 15 points and a team-leading six rebounds in Missouri’s victory over Colorado.
Texas Tech 85, Baylor 74
Lubbock, Texas – Jarrius Jackson scored 26 points to lead Texas Tech past Baylor. Jon Plefka had a career-high 22 points for the Red Raiders. His previous high, 19 points, came in a 73-70 loss to Baylor in Waco last month.
Iowa State 69, Nebraska 63
Lincoln, Neb. – Wesley Johnson scored a career-high 22 points.
