Kansas State Kansas St/Texas Texas Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

AUSTIN (AP) -- He could have ripped his team, but Texas coach Rick Barnes held his tongue after the Longhorns struggled mightily in a win over Kansas State on Wednesday night.

No. 22 Texas had just gone just 6 of 36 shooting in the first half on a series of slapstick offensive sets and launched more than a few ill-advised shots in the 63-41 victory.

He showed no reaction when the home crowd of 8,316 gave a sarcastic cheer after Royal Ivey's free throw with 30 seconds left in the first half finally gave the Longhorns 20 points.

Nor did he stomp around when Kansas State's Phineas Atchison drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 20-16 Longhorns at the half.

The Texas crowd, which Barnes has criticized for low attendance, stands until the Longhorns score their first points and was on its feet for nearly four minutes to start the game as the teams combined for four points and seven fouls.

"I appreciate the fans sticking with us," Barnes said. "It is easy to get frustrated in a game like this one."

Texas players expected Barnes to explode in the locker room. Instead, he chalked it up to a "bad night" of shooting that still resulted in victory for Texas (12-2, 2-0 Big 12).

"You're going to have some bad nights like that," said Barnes, who called told his players it was one of the worst halves of basketball he ever hoped to see.

"I told them we're going to find a way to make shots in the second half."

Eventually, the Longhorns did. Chris Owens and Darren Kelly sparked a 12-0 run in the second half that turned a close game into a 37-21 Texas lead and the Longhorns never looked back.

"He wasn't upset because I think he knew we were playing good defense," said Owens, who had game highs of 14 points and 15 rebounds. "If you play good defense, you always have a chance."

Texas outrebounded Kansas State 49-32 and held the Wildcats to 30.4 percent shooting for the game. Kansas State starters Larry Reid, Richie Terry and Kelvin Howell went 0-for-12 from the floor and Phineas Atchison led the Wildcats (7-6, 1-1) with 11 points.

"The only word I can come with offensively is `inept"', said Kansas State coach Jim Wooldridge. "I had no idea we couldn't make a layup or an open jump shot."

The teams combined to hit just 11 of 59 shots in the first half. Texas was much better in the second, going 15-of-27 from the floor and connecting on six 3-pointers.

Texas led 25-21 when Owens hit a short jumper and Darren Kelly followed with a 3 and floater in the lane that made it 32-21. Texas maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

The Longhorns also forced 21 turnovers, which they turned into 18 points.

The victory was Texas' seventh straight, the 'Horns' longest winning streak in three seasons under Barnes. The Longhorns have won 22 in a row at home.

The win ended a five-game home stand for Texas, its longest of the season. Texas goes on the road in the Big 12 on Saturday at Nebraska before returning home for a nationally-televised matchup with Connecticut on Monday.

ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

Kansas State Clubhouse

Texas Clubhouse