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 Ricky Lucas makes a move to the basket for the Colonials. |
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GW Falls To No. 19 Texas, 88-72
Dec 29, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas coach Rick Barnes shuffled his starting lineup and came up with a winner Monday night.
Freshman P.J. Tucker scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in his first collegiate start to lead the 19th-ranked Longhorns to an 88-72 victory over George Washington.
"P.J. Tucker dominated the game," George Washington coach Karl Hobbs said. "He truly was the difference."
The Longhorns (6-2) opened the game with an 11-0 run that was keyed by three inside baskets by Tucker. The 6-foot-5 Tucker, who was held scoreless in Texas' 89-61 loss to then-No. 3 Duke on Dec. 20, made his first five shots and was 12-of-16 for the game. All of his field goals were within 5 feet of the basket.
"P.J. was unstoppable tonight," Texas forward Brian Boddicker said. "He got whatever he wanted down low."
The Colonials (6-5) finally scored when Carl Elliott hit a 3-pointer with 15:11 left in the first half. Another 3-pointer and a steal and coast-to-coast layup by Elliott made it 17-12 before the Longhorns put together a 15-0 run midway through the first half.
Kenny Taylor hit two 3-pointers and had eight points during the run, while Royal Ivey had a steal and a stutter-step drive to the basket that resulted in a three-point play. Tucker capped the run with another strong move to the basket for a layup, and the Longhorns led 32-12 with 7:29 left in the first half.
George Washington cut the lead to 62-50 with 9:44 to play behind the strong outside shooting of Greg Collucci, who hit five 3s in the second half.
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But Texas pulled away again behind the inside presence of Tucker, who had 10 offensive rebounds, and the outside shooting of Taylor, who finished with 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
Collucci led George Washington with 23 points, while T.J. Thompson added 19.
Tucker, who came in averaging 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds, has four double-doubles in eight games.
"Tucker is without a doubt the surprise player in the country," Hobbs said.
Barnes was pleased with Tucker's play.
"P.J. Tucker definitely had an impressive night," Barnes said.
