Final Score: (8) Texas 78, Appalachian State 43

Austin, TX (Sports Network) - Dexter Pittman had a career-high 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help No. 8 Texas crush Appalachian State, 78-43.

Gary Johnson had 16 points and nine boards for the Longhorns (11-2), who have won two in a row since a 67-63 loss to Michigan State on December 20. Damion James chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Kellen Brand had 12 points for the Mountaineers (5-5), who have lost three of their last four games.

D.J. Abraham's jumper brought Appalachian State within 25-21 with 4:47 left in the first half, but Texas closed out the frame on a modest 7-2 run to take a 32-23 lead at the break.

"They played great and they gathered the guys toward us," said Johnson.

Johnson's free throw capped a 12-0 run the Longhorns used to open the second half. The surge gave the home team a 44-23 lead with 15:25 left in the game.

Texas wasn't threatened the rest of the game and cruised to an easy victory.

"I was just doing the execution coach wanted us to do," said Pittman. "That was running our plays and for me to duck in and for me to get the ball and just go up."

Game Notes

Friday was the first-ever meeting between the schools on the hardwood...Texas has registered a 119-10 home record against unranked opponents during the Rick Barnes era...Texas plays Arkansas on Tuesday. Appalachian State plays Elon on Thursday.

01/03 00:42:02 ET