In its first New Year's Eve game in 14 years, No. 13 Texas wanted to end 2010 on a high note.
The Longhorns did just that.
Jordan Hamilton hit five 3-pointers and scored 24 points to help host Texas beat Coppin State, 95-75, on Friday.
Tristan Thompson scored a career-high 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Longhorns (11-2).
"I thought we broke out today, and we wanted to end 2010 right," Texas guard J'Covan Brown said. "We've got to bring that to the next part of the season."
With 11 minutes remaining in the game and the Eagles (4-7) trailing 57-52, Hamilton stole an inbounds pass and converted a layup on the fast break. Hamilton was fouled on the play, and his free throw completed the three-point play.
"It's all about being hungry, we always talk about being more hungry," Thompson said of Texas' 47-17 rebounding edge over the Eagles. "If everyone has intentions of being active on the glass, it will show."
Tony Gallo scored 22 points for Coppin State, and Michael Harper added 18.
Freshman Cory Joseph hit Texas' first shot of the game, a 3-pointer from the wing against Coppin State's 2-3 zone. Guard Akeem Ellis countered quickly for the Eagles, hitting a 3-pointer from the wing to tie it.
However, Joseph continued to find his offensive stroke, scoring six of Texas' points in a 13-0 run.
Harper helped Coppin State back from a quick 16-3 deficit with 15 first-half points, connecting on three of five 3-pointers.
With 7 minutes remaining in the first half, Brown found Thompson running the baseline and lofted it up for an alley-oop dunk that gave Texas a 29-13 lead. Harper was again instrumental in bringing Coppin State back, making consecutive 3-pointers with under five minutes remaining in the first half.
Harper connected on a shot as time expired to help cut Texas' lead to 41-28.
The Eagles continued to cut into the lead as Ellis hit a quick runner in the lane followed by a 3-pointer to start the second half. After a 3 by Coppin State's Jordan Lee, Thompson threw down a dunk for a 43-36 lead.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, Gallo provided a huge spark for the Eagles, hitting three straight 3-pointers. He completed a four-point play with 12:44 left to tie the game at 52.
Women
Mount St. Mary's 79, San Francisco 77, OT: Selina Mann scored the game-winning layup with 1.9 seconds left in overtime to propel the Mountaineers past the Dons in nonconference action. The Mount (3-9) rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to earn its second win in California.
With the game tied at 77, Mount St. Mary's called a timeout with 24 seconds left to set up the final play. Mann took the ball from the top of the key and drove the right side for the winning basket.
Mann finished the game with 14 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
