AUSTIN – 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.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan‘s postgame interview can be found here.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES
The victory marked the first for the Aggies over Texas in Austin since 2002.
Despite the Longhorns taking a slight advantage on the boards, 37-30, the Aggies outscored Texas in the paint 34-22.
Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Marcus Hill, Jacari Lane, Rubén Dominguez, Rylan Griffen and Rashaun Agee for the sixth consecutive game and sixth time this season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
#3 Rylan Griffen
Led the way with 17 points for his fourth game with 15-plus points this season.
Was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, knocking down at least four 3’s in a game for the third time this season.
Added 10 points to register his 15th game in double figures this season and fifth in SEC play.
#12 Rashaun Agee
Led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds to register his eighth double-double of the season.
Has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games and has brought down double digit rebounds nine times this season.
His eight double-doubles are tied for the fourth most by an Aggie in a season in program history.
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