Jan 10, 2004

Box Score

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Brad Buckman had 16 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 18 Texas open its Big 12 schedule with a 79-57 victory over Baylor on Saturday night.

P.J. Tucker added 13 points for the Longhorns (9-2), who ran their home winning streak to 23 games. Harvey Thomas scored 19 points for Baylor (5-9, 0-1).

Playing with just five scholarship players, Baylor kept it close in the first half by using a zone defense that kept Texas from getting the ball to its post players. The Bears also were patient on offense against the Longhorns' half-court trap.

Tucker, the Longhorns leading scorer and rebounder this season, didn't take a shot until there was just 1:24 left in the half and his driving layup gave Texas a 36-26 lead.

After Tucker hit a pair of free throws, Royal Ivey made it a 42-28 Texas lead at halftime with two free throws and a layup off a steal on the inbounds pass with four seconds left.

In the second, Tucker scored six and Buckman had four - including a fast-break dunk - as Texas used a 12-2 run that opened up a 54-30 lead with 12:22 left. The Bears never again got the Texas lead under 15.

Already depleted by defections from the program after last summer's scandals of a slain player, NCAA violations and coach Dave Bliss's resignation, the Bears lost three more key players earlier this month when senior co-captains R.T. Guinn and Terrance Thomas were ruled academically ineligible.

Texas guard Kenny Taylor is one of the players who left the Baylor program. He finished with five points.