KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Damion James had 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Texas pulled away from plucky Iowa State on Wednesday night, beating the Cyclones 82-75 in a hard-fought Big 12 opening-round game.
James had three points, three rebounds and an assist during an 11-0 run that turned a one-point lead into a 12-point spread. The sixth-seeded Longhorns (24-8) play third-seeded and No. 21 Baylor, a team that beat them twice during the regular season, in the quarterfinals.
After Iowa State (15-17), the No. 11 seed, cut the lead to six points at 75-69, Jai Lucas hit a free throw for Texas and missed the second attempt. James grabbed the rebound, and Avery Bradley sank a pair of foul shots to put the Longhorns on top 78-69.
Gary Johnson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Texas.
Marquis Gilstrap scored 17 points for the Cyclones, and Craig Brackins added 15.
