By MARK ROSNER
Texas forward Connor Lammert (21) dunks the ball against Rice during an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Myles Turner, Nate Pollard
Texas forward Myles Turner (52) blocks the shot of Rice center Nate Pollard during an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Myles Turner, Kendal Yancy
Texas forward Myles Turner (52) comes down with a rebound over Texas teammate Kendal Yancy during an NCAA college basketball game against Rice, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rick Barnes finally answered a question many had been asking for the last six weeks.
The Texas basketball coach put talented freshman Myles Turner in the starting lineup for the first time this season. Turner scored 16 points, and 11th-ranked Texas held off an inspired Rice team 66-55 on Monday afternoon.
Turner, a highly recruited 6-foot-11 forward, shot 6 of 7 in his first start after 12 games as a reserve. He didn’t know about his new assignment until Monday.
“It got my adrenaline pumping when I heard my name,” Turner said. “I was ready to go.”
Barnes has said for years that media and fans make too much of who starts games.
Indeed, Turner played 22 minutes Monday, one more than his average.
Barnes said he made the lineup change — Turner for junior center Cam Ridley — primarily because he was disappointed with the Longhorn’s rebounding during a loss to Stanford in overtime in their previous game.
Texas’ plus-four margin was more than 10 below its average. Turner had eight rebounds against Stanford, five more than Ridley.
Ridley had nine points, six rebounds and two blocks against Rice. He was in the game down the stretch instead of Turner, who struggled on defense.
“I think this proved a point to everybody,” Barnes said. “Cam finished the game.”
Forward Jonathan Holmes scored 12 points for Texas (11-2), including a three-point play that put Texas up six with 2:50 remaining.
Holmes’ basket and free throw were part of a 13-0 run for the Longhorns, who led by just two with less than four minutes left.
The 6-8 Holmes grabbed eight offensive rebounds but missed 10 of 14 shots, several right at the rim. Ridley, who’s 6-9, also missed a few inside.
“You have days where you can’t buy a basket,” Holmes said. “Missed layups. It happens. We showed a little bit of mental toughness. We found a way to win. That’s the most important thing.”
Rice (3-8) went scoreless for 5:46 late in the game before scoring with six seconds to go.
Before that, the Owls caused problems for Texas by moving the ball for open jump shots and opting not to challenge the taller Longhorns — five players between 6-8 and 6-11 — inside. Texas blocked only three shots, nearly five fewer than its average.
Turner has 35 blocks this season and Ridley 21.
“It’s a good idea not to challenge those guys,” Rice coach Mike Rhoades said. “Find the next open guy. Do a great job of attacking their defense, but do an even better job of sharing the basketball.”
Forward Seth Gearhart led Rice with a career-best 24 points, 10 more than his average. He was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers.
Guard Marcus Jackson scored 10 for the Owls, all in the first half.
Rhoades came to Rice this season after five years as an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth. He was proud of the effort but disappointed in defeat.
“We didn’t come here to be close,” Rhoades said. “We don’t want a consolation prize.”
TIP-INS
Texas: Turner made 22 consecutive free throws before missing one early in the second half. . Backup center Prince Ibeh played only four minutes because he had missed practice time with a virus recently. . Holmes, a senior, needs one point to reach 1,000 for his career.
Rice: The Owls are not regularly among elite company. Monday’s game was their first against a ranked team since losing to the No. 20 Longhorns on Nov. 27, 2010. That was a close one, though, 62-59.
THE BIG QUESTION
Texas point guard Isaiah Taylor, who has missed the last 10 games with a broken left wrist, will be examined by a doctor in the next few days to determine if he can play in the Big 12 opener Saturday at Texas Tech. Taylor averaged 15 points in the Longhorns’ first three games.
UP NEXT
Texas: Visits Texas Tech on Saturday.
Rice: Hosts UTSA on Friday.