AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- After just one game, Texas (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 21 AP) is already off to a better start than last season.

Center Chris Mihm, poked in the eye and needing stitches after taking an elbow to the head in the second half, scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead Texas to an 82-48 victory Saturday night over Louisiana-Lafayette in the opener for both teams.

Texas started 0-4 last season before winning the Big 12 regular-season championship.

"I told the team tonight this is where we start building," Texas coach Rick Barnes said.

William Clay added 17 points and Gabe Muoneke and Chris Owens each scored 16 as the Longhorns overcame a shaky first half to rout the Ragin' Cajuns.

Shea Whiting had 11 points for the Ragin' Cajuns, who shot just 27 percent from the floor, including 0-for-17 from 3-point range. They also committed 20 turnovers, which Texas turned into 22 points.

Texas, which wasn't challenged in two exhibition blowouts, needed most of the first half to shake off the rust, even against a much smaller opponent who didn't have a player taller than 6-foot-9.

Playing against an opponent with some speed and athleticism, the Longhorns committed 13 turnovers in the first half and shot just 38 percent from the floor in taking a 34-20 halftime lead.

"I think it was due to jitters of the first game," Owens said. "We rushed things, but we will get better each game. The first game is out of the way so we can get down to business."

The 7-foot Mihm started slow. He made just one of his first five shots, missing four straight layups.

Texas tightened up in the second half after the Ragin' Cajuns pulled within 36-28. Clay's 3-pointer with 16:36 to play started a 16-2 run that put Texas ahead 52-30.

Clay also had a sparkling assist when he leaped over the Texas bench to keep the ball in bounds, passing the ball to Owens who took it in for a layup. Owens had six points in the Texas run.

After the sloppy first half, Texas committed just four turnovers in the second half and allowed Louisiana-Lafayette four points on fast breaks.

Mihm, who took an elbow in the back of the head as he went up for a rebound midway through the second half, finally found his touch and finished 8-of-18 with six blocks. Texas outscored the Ragin' Cajuns 42-20 in the paint.

"I thought I rebounded well and blocked shots," Mihm said. "I was getting beat up down there. I better get used to it."

Outmanned inside and falling further behind, Louisiana-Lafayette tried to catch up from 3-point range but had no success, instead launching several airballs.

"I had Texas in the top 10 personally," Louisiana-Lafayette coach Jesse Evans said. "I think they're that good."