Austin, Texas ? Three wins, three different leading scorers.

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns will take this kind of balance all season.

James Thomas had 14 points and 15 rebounds and Texas used relentless defense Wednesday night to beat Texas-Arlington 76-45.

“We’re not asking one guy to do it for us,” Longhorns coach Rick said. “I think we will be a balanced team which makes you harder to guard.”

Thomas secured his second consecutive double-double and 14th of his career with more than 16 minutes left in the game. His six straight points at the start of the second half keyed the decisive run, helping Texas (3-0) open up a close game.

Derrick Obasohan scored 17 points to lead Texas-Arlington (1-3), which finished with nearly as many turnovers (29) as rebounds (30). Royal Ivey scored 13 for Texas and Brandon Mouton added 10.

As good as Texas was on the boards and on defense, the Longhorns had their own troubles taking care of the ball and committed 23 turnovers.

“Too many,” Barnes said. “For us to be the team we want to be, we have got to be a better offensive team.”

Baylor's Lawrence Roberts (44) fouls Northwestern State's Jermaine Spencer during the first half in Waco, Texas. Baylor won Wednesday's game, 82-54.

T.J. Ford, who led the nation in assists as a freshman last season, got stripped on the first possession and had an uncharacteristic nine turnovers and just three assists.

“He probably has as tough a night as he’s had since he’s been here. It seemed like the harder he tried, the worse he got,” Barnes said.

The Longhorns made up for the miscues by turning the Mavericks’ mistakes into 31 points and often limiting them to just one shot when they did manage to get one off.

New Mexico St. 75, Colorado 71

LasCruces, N.M. ” Allen Haynes hit one of his seven 3-pointer late in the second half to help New Mexico State beat Colorado.

Haynes finished with 25 points and was 7 of 12 from the 3-point line.

Jason Fontenet added 16 points, included four 3s, and Kelsey Crooks had 11 points for the Aggies.

After slipping behind at the break and struggling at the start of the second half, New Mexico State (2-1) outscored Colorado (2-1) 14-9 in the final four minutes.

Baylor 82, Northwestern St. 54

Waco, Texas ” Terrance Thomas scored 18 points and John Lucas added 15 to lead Baylor past Northwestern State in its home opener.

Already with a 36-26 lead, Baylor (2-0) opened the second half with 15 straight points in just over four minutes. The Bears maintained at least a 20-point margin the rest of the game.

The Bears led by as many as 29 points against the overmatched Demons (0-2), who had to replace all five starters and their top eight scorers from last season.

Byron Allen and Alfonse Dyer both had 10 points to lead Northwestern.

Baylor has won 22 straight home games against non-conference opponents. The Bears are 61-17 against teams from the Southland Conference.

Sophomore Lawrence Roberts, Baylor’s leading scorer last season, played for the first time since suffering a stress fracture in his left leg during preseason workouts.

He scored eight points, all of them early as Baylor went ahead to stay.