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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Myles Turner doesn't always provide evidence supporting his reputation as an NBA draft lottery candidate.
But he offered plenty on Tuesday night. Turner scored a season-high 26 points to help lead No. 9 ranked Texas to a rout of Lipscomb 106-61.
Turner, a highly-recruited 6-foot-11 freshman, had and outstanding all-around performance as he also grabbed nine rebounds and had six blocked shots.
Turner did most of his damage in the first half when he scored 19 points, and had seven rebounds and five blocks. He matched his season-high with a sixth block in the second half.
Though he began the night averaging a respectable 11 points and 6.8 rebounds in 20 minutes a game, Turner said he is not completely satisfied.
"I have high expectations," Turner said. "I've met a few."
Jonathan Holmes scored 17 for the Longhorns (9-1). Junior guard Demarcus Holland made a career-best eight assists. Sophomore Kendal Yancy also had a career-best seven assists.
Malcolm Smith led Lipscomb (4-6) with 17 points.
Turner has been playing as a reserve. Texas coach Rick Barnes hasn't decided if Turner will be elevated to starter. He has performed better against the overmatched teams that the Longhorns have faced on their non-conference schedule. His previous best performance included 25 points and 10 rebounds against Saint Francis.
Turner was not nearly as good against more formidable opponents, averaging 5.8 points and 5.5 rebounds against Iowa, California, Connecticut and No. 1 Kentucky.
Texas led 58-32 at halftime, and set a school record for blocked shots in a half with 10. Texas had nine against Texas-Arlington in the first half.
The Longhorns shaped up their game after Barnes criticized them for the way they played in their last two games. The Longhorns committed 22 turnovers at Kentucky and 19 against Texas State before taking on Lipscomb.
"He emphasized not playing scared to make a mistake, because we we're scared we make a mistake we make turnovers," Holland said. "We don't like to be called scared. This program is built on toughness. We wanted to prove him wrong."
Texas shot 59 percent and committed just two turnovers in the first half against Lipscomb.
"We moved the ball," he said. "That's what we haven't been doing."
That was unfortunate for Lipscomb.
"They were on a mission offensively tonight," Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander said. "They played with so much more speed, so much more purpose."
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TIP-INS
Texas: Longhorn guard Damarcus Croaker left the team and will transfer to another school. Croaker, a sophomore, has a son at home in Orlando who will turn 1 year old on Feb. 4. He played in five games this season, averaging 9.4 minutes and 1.6 points.
Lipscomb: Senior forward Martin Smith, the Bisons' third-leading scorer with an 11.9-point average, missed game on Tuesday night after injuring his foot in the second half at Austin Peay on Saturday. Lipscomb won 68-59, thanks to six 3-pointers baskets in in the second half by Brett Wishon.
UP NEXT
Texas hosts Long Beach State on Saturday.
Lipscomb is at Princeton on Friday.
BREAKTHOUGH FOR ANOTHER FRESHMAN
Jordan Barnett, the Longhorns freshman forward, had a season best 11 points. He converted all three of his 3-point shots. Before Tuesday, Barnett had missed 11 of 12 treys.
TEXAS MAKING STOPS. AT BOTH ENDS
The Longhorns have been outstanding on defense this season. They rank fourth in adjusted efficiency, according to kenpm.com. They are in the top five of the NCAA stats in field-goal defense, blocked shots, scoring defense and defensive rebounds. Offense? Not so great. Kenpom has them ranked 55th in efficiency. The Longhorns are 254th in turnovers and 138th in shooting accuracy.
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