BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men’s basketball team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 88-68, behind a stellar night from the free-throw line and a season-low three turnovers Wednesday inside Reed Arena.
The Aggies shot a season-high 95.8% (23-of-24) from the charity stripe. The Maroon & White also recorded a 6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with 18 assists. The turnover tally was tied for the second-lowest in program history.
Texas A&M (15-4, 5-1 SEC) was led by Rashaun Agee who registered season highs with 23 points and five assists. He shot 7-of-14 from the field and 9-of-9 from the charity stripe. He pulled down 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Rylan Griffen added on 15 points, including 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
The first half began tightly contested with five lead changes in the opening 9:52 of the game. Zach Clemence jumpstarted a 13-2 run over a 2:34 period where the Aggies nailed four down from triple town to take a 34-23 advantage in 14 minutes of action. Griffen and Agee paced the scoring efforts in the first half each recording 11 points. The Aggie defense backed them up with eight points off six turnovers to extend the advantage to 44-33 entering the break.
The Aggies continued their momentum into the second half going a perfect 13-13 from the free-throw line, never allowing the Bulldogs to get within 12 points. Texas A&M went the entire second stanza without committing a turnover. The Maroon & White took their largest lead of the game with 2:50 remaining in the game, 85-65, and matched it again with the final score.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M remains at home, hosting South Carolina Saturday, Jan. 24. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
POSTGAME QUOTES
The postgame press conference with Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan can be found here, and the press conference with graduate Rashaun Agee and senior Rylan Griffen can be found here.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES
The Aggies committed just three turnovers, tied for the second-lowest in program history. It marked the second game in a row with single-digit turnovers.
Texas A&M forced 13 turnovers and owned a 14-0 advantage in points-off-turnovers.
The Aggies made a season-best 95.8% (23-of-24) from the free-throw line.
The Maroon & White outscored the Bulldogs 38-32 in the paint.
Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Marcus Hill, Jacari Lane, Rubén Dominguez, Rylan Griffen and Rashaun Agee for the seventh consecutive game and seventh time this season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
#2 Pop Isaacs
Registered 10 points for his 10th double-digit scoring performance of the season.
Scored 15 points on the night, marking the second consecutive game and fifth time this season scoring 15-plus points.
#5 Jacari Lane
Recorded 10 points for his sixth double-digit scoring effort of the season.
Dished out five assists for his ninth game of the season with five-plus.
#12 Rashaun Agee
Led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds setting his new season-best in points and registering his ninth double-double of the season, the third-most in a season in program history.
Logged his third 20-point game of the season and the 12th of his career.
Averaging 17.0 points over the last eight games.
Averaging 16.0 points and 10.0 in six SEC contests.
Recorded a season high with five assists.
Brought down double-digit rebounds for the 10th time this season.
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