News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
The Texas A&M men’s basketball team used a strong second half to take down Texas 74-70 in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at the Moody Center Saturday evening.
The first half remained back-and-forth throughout as the lead traded hands seven times and neither team went ahead by more than two possessions. The Aggies (14-4, 4-1 SEC) put together an 11-2 run with 3:06 on the clock to hold a three-point lead with 17 seconds to play, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Texas (11-7, 2-3 SEC) knotted things at 29 at the break.
The second half started with a steal by Marcus Hill on the Longhorns’ first possession and a four-point play from Rylan Griffen, sparking a 9-2 run that put the Aggies up 38-31 and forced an early Texas timeout. Rashaun Agee got the advantage to double figures on a three-point play before the media timeout.
Texas A&M never trailed in the second half, only allowing Texas to get as close as six points until the closing minutes of the game. Jacari Lane drained a 3-pointer with 3:02 on the clock to put the Aggies up 73-62, but Texas strung together eight straight points to cut it to 73-70 with seven seconds remaining. Lane was fouled on the ensuing possession and made it a four-point game. A late long-distance attempt for the Longhorns was off the mark and the Aggies held on for the victory.
Griffen scored all of his team-best 17 points in the second half, going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to help the Aggies shoot 60-percent from long range (6-10) and the field (15-25) in the period. Agee notched his eighth double-double of the year, helping lead the way with 17 points and 11 boards.
UP NEXT
The Aggies return to Reed Arena Wednesday to take on Mississippi State at 8 p.m. on SEC Network.