New York ? Texas guard T.J. Ford crashed hard to the floor early in Friday night’s game against Georgia. Madison Square Garden got quiet. Longhorns fans fell silent.

After spending a couple of nervous minutes on the court and then three minutes on the bench, Ford returned to match his career high with 22 points to go with eight assists as No. 4 Texas overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to beat No. 16 Georgia 77-71 in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Ford, who became the first freshman to lead the nation in assists when he averaged 8.3 last season, doubled his 10.8 scoring average from 2001-02.

“The star of the game was T.J. Ford,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “They had no answer for him.”

The Longhorns almost didn’t have him.

Just three minutes into the game, Georgia’s Damien Wilkins turned to attempt a three-pointer as the shot clock expired, and the 5-foot-10 Ford came at him, flying over the 6-7 Wilkins and crashing to the floor.

“I didn’t see it,” Barnes said. “I told him, ‘Just squeeze my hand if you’re OK,’ and he said, ‘I’m OK. Let’s play.”‘

Ford said he was just trying to make a play.

Georgia's Jonas Hayes (33) looks to pass as Texas' Brad Buckman defends. The Longhors beat Georgia, 77-71, during the the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Friday in New York.

“I’m not even sure where I fell,” he said when asked what part of his body took the brunt of the crash. “I’m sure I’ll be sore in the morning.”

The Longhorns saved the Big 12 Conference from a rough two days at the Garden, at the expense of the Southeastern Conference.

On Thursday night, No. 8 Alabama beat No. 3 Oklahoma 68-62 in the first matchup between the leagues. It didn’t look very good for Texas when Georgia scored the first six points of the second half to take a 46-36 lead.

Brandon Mouton had seven points in Texas’ 15-2 run that put the Longhorns ahead 51-48. Texas also got some good team defense and unexpected offense from Deginald Erskin, who had 10 of his 12 points in the second half. Erskin’s personal six-point run gave the Longhorns a 68-58 lead with 6:40 to play.

“We got the lead with our transition game after doing a poor job with it in the second half,” Barnes said.

Georgia was playing without two of its best inside players ” Chris Daniels was suspended for one game by the NCAA, Steve Thomas three games by the school.

No. 18 Marquette 73, Villanova 61

New York ” Marquette opened a quick early lead and then used a shower of three-point baskets to secure a season-opening victory over Villanova in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden. Dwyane Wade led the Golden Eagles with 17 points.