Greensboro, NC -- (Sports Network) - A.J. Abrams hit four consecutive three- pointers in a key second-half stretch and finished with 26 points, leading Texas to a 76-62 win over Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Abrams finished 8-for-15 overall from three-point range, and his four in a row gave the Longhorns a 59-44 lead with 11 minutes to play. The advantage was too much for Minnesota to overcome, as Texas (23-11) held on for the win.

The seventh-seeded Longhorns advanced to the second round of the East Region, and will face second-seeded Duke.

Damion James had 18 points and nine rebounds for Texas, while Dexter Pittman added 17 points and 11 boards in the win.

"You know, they jumped on us early," Abrams said of Minnesota. "I mean, [Texas head coach Rick Barnes] said we kind of came out a little nervous. After the first four minutes we settled down, and just started playing basketball like it was another game. But we can't go through a stretch like that starting the game off. Letting a team jump on us like that."

Lawrence Westbrook had 19 points to pace 10th-seeded Minnesota (22-11), which was making its first NCAA tourney appearance since 2005. Damian Johnson added 13 points in the Golden Gophers' loss.

"Well, it was one of the goals we had, was to get to the NCAA Tournament," Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith said. "Obviously, we wanted to perform better and win. But I thought overall this team has achieved and set a standard that we have to -- we've raised the bar."

In a close game, Texas appeared to gain some separation when Abrams hit a three-pointer for a 47-39 lead a little over three minutes into the second half.

Johnson came back with a three of his own, and Westbrook followed with a layup to get the Gophers within three.

However, Abrams had the hot hand, and continued to sink three after three. His first of four in a row came with just over 13 minutes remaining, and the last fell in with 11 minutes to play for a 59-44 lead.

"I mean, he's a great shooter," Pittman said of Abrams. "He comes out to do that every game almost. But I think it was just the way he was getting open himself and moving without the ball, and he created his own shots. So he went on a hot streak right there, and he was hot the whole game."

Minnesota didn't let the lead grow much larger, but couldn't make a dent in its deficit, as Texas held a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Minnesota began the game on an 11-2 run, but Texas later had a 12-2 stretch to even the game. Pittman had a pair of baskets, while Abrams and James each connected on a three-pointer during the surge. Connor Atchley ended it with a dunk to tie the contest at 15 with a little under 12 minutes to go.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch of the first half, and an Abrams three-pointer closed out the scoring to give the Longhorns a 39-35 lead at the break.

Game Notes:

Minnesota's all-time record in the NCAA tourney fell to 12-10, while Texas improved its mark to 33-29...The Longhorns shot 47.4 percent overall, while Minnesota made 40.7 percent of its shots...Texas held a 41-30 rebounding advantage.