Columbia, Mo. ? Texas freshman T.J. Ford dazzled another opponent.

Ford had 18 points, 12 assists and a career-best five steals as the Longhorns hung on in the final minute for a 72-70 victory over Missouri on Sunday. He also hit a pair of clinching free throws with 5.1 seconds left.

“I wouldn’t trade him for anybody in the country,” coach Rick Barnes said.

Ford’s free throws gave Texas a 72-69 lead. Clarence Gilbert was fouled with 3.2 seconds left and made the first of two, then missed the second intentionally, but Texas got the rebound.

Missouri missed several golden opportunities to go ahead in the final seconds:

l Ricky Paulding, a 77-percent free-throw shooter, missed a pair of free throws with 10.2 seconds to go and Missouri down by a point.

l Missouri got the ball back after Brandon Mouton was called for traveling on a wild scramble for the ball on the ensuing inbounds, but Paulding stepped out of bounds.

l Kareem Rush also missed three shots, all with Missouri trailing by one, in the final 1:08.