COL BKB: Texas 78, Appalachian St. 43

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Dexter Pittman had 21 points and 11 rebounds Friday night to lead No. 7 Texas to an easy 78-43 win over Appalachian State.

Gary Johnson finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Damion Jones had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Longhorns (11-2), who have won two straight since a 67-63 loss to Michigan State Dec. 20.

Kellen Brand scored 12 to lead the Mountaineers (5-5), who lost for the third time in their last four games.

Appalachian State hung with the Longhorns early, trailing just 25-21 at 15:13 of the first half, but Texas went on a 7-2 tear and lead 32-23 at halftime. The Longhorns put together a 12-0 run to open the second half and cruised the rest of the way.

Texas improved to 119-10 at home against unranked opponents during the tenure of Coach Rick Barnes.