Despite taking an early lead, Texas A&M men’s basketball struggled for most of the first 20 minutes and entered the second half trailing Arkansas 37-28.
The Aggies entered the first media timeout leading 9-2; since then, they’ve been chasing the Razorbacks on the road, falling behind by as much as 14 points, largely because of struggles to protect the basketball
There were only two lead changes in the first half, with A&M ahead for just 5 minutes and 36 seconds.
The Aggies turned the ball over 13 times, shot 44% from the field, and were outscored 20-14 in the paint. They won the rebound battle 19-18 and the bench points battle 11-10.
A&M’s forward Rashaun Agee scored a team-high 13 points in the half, shooting 4-for-4 from the field. He also led the Aggies in rebounding with six rebounds.
For the Razorbacks, forward Billy Richmond III led all scorers, finishing the period with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field. Forward Trevon Brazile grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
Stay tuned for updates from the action:
Arkansas is running away with this game early, taking a 14-point lead at one point. A&M has struggled with turnovers, committing 10 compared to the Razorbacks’ one.
Arkansas extends its lead to four at the third media timeout of the period. A&M is battling, shooting 44% from the field with five scorers and Agee up to 10 points.
The Razorbacks stormed back and entered the second media timeout, erasing a seven-point deficit. Arkansas has made all four of its free-throw attempts and has hit two shots from beyond the arc, compared with A&M’s one.
Great start for the Aggies, who jump out to a seven-point lead. Agee has been hot early with five points, two assists and one rebound.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.
TV/radio: ESPN2, 1370 AM in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.
Moneyline: Texas A&M +275, Arkansas -350
Spread: Texas A&M is a 7½ point underdog
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.