NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A.J. Abrams scored 26 points and No. 8 Texas overcame a slow start Tuesday to knock off No. 16 Villanova 67-58 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova took a 12-5 lead to start the game but Texas scored the next 10 and led 32-26 by halftime. Texas widened its lead to 57-47 following a three-pointer by Abrams with 5 1/2 minutes left. Villanova never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.
The 7-1 Longhorns, who shot 41.7 percent from the field, also got 16 points from Damion James and eight from Dexter Pittman. Justin Mason had seven assists.
The 8-1 Wildcats, who shot 38 percent from the field, were led by Dante Cunningham's 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (8-1). Corey Stokes scored 11 and Scottie Reynolds 10 in defeat.
It was the second straight win over a nationally ranked team for the Longhorns, who beat ninth-ranked UCLA.
