AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas A&M blistered the net in the second half, turning a defensive struggle into a 74-70 win over Texas in Southeastern Conference men’s basketball action Saturday at Moody Center.

With the teams locked in a 29-29 tie at halftime, the Aggies shot 60% in the second half, 15-for-25, to pull away. Rylan Griffen had the hot hand, connecting on 4 of 5 3-point attempts and scoring all 17 of his points in the second half. The Aggies were 6-for-10 from 3-point range in the frame to Texas’ 3-for-10.

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AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies bodies for position against center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies bodies for position against center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns holds up three fingers after hitting a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns holds up three fingers after hitting a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Chendall Weaver #2 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a shot attempt by Guard Marcus Hill #0 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Chendall Weaver #2 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a shot attempt by Guard Marcus Hill #0 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns holds a rebound tight to his body during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns holds a rebound tight to his body during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks the ball during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks the ball during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Dailyn Swain #3 of the Texas Longhorns takes a one-handed shot over forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Dailyn Swain #3 of the Texas Longhorns takes a one-handed shot over forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Camden Heide #5 of the Texas Longhorns holds up the number one sign after hitting a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Camden Heide #5 of the Texas Longhorns holds up the number one sign after hitting a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Head coach Sean Miller of the Texas Longhorns directs players on the court during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Head coach Sean Miller of the Texas Longhorns directs players on the court during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Ali Dibba #6 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot while being defended by forward Camden Heide #5 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Ali Dibba #6 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot while being defended by forward Camden Heide #5 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns shoots a three point shot during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Rylan Griffen #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies reaches for a rebound in front of center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Rylan Griffen #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies reaches for a rebound in front of center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot while being defended by center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot while being defended by center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns holds up his arms after a scrum with a Texas A&M Aggies player during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Guard Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns holds up his arms after a scrum with a Texas A&M Aggies player during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Head coach Bucky McMillan of the Texas A&M Aggies watches play during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Head coach Bucky McMillan of the Texas A&M Aggies watches play during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 14: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns stretches out to shoot the ball around forward Ak Okereke #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores on January 14, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 14: Guard Jordan Pope #0 of the Texas Longhorns stretches out to shoot the ball around forward Ak Okereke #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores on January 14, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns goes up to dunk over Devin McGlockton #99 and AK Okereke #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Moody Center on January 14, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Tramon Mark #12 of the Texas Longhorns goes up to dunk over Devin McGlockton #99 and AK Okereke #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Moody Center on January 14, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Scott Wachter/Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot over the arms of center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Rashaun Agee #12 of the Texas A&M Aggies goes up for a shot over the arms of center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Jamie Vinson #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies controls the ball while being defended by center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AUSTIN, TX – JANUARY 17: Forward Jamie Vinson #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies controls the ball while being defended by center Matas Vokietaitis #8 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on January 17, 2026, at Moody Center in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

PREVIOUS GAME: Texas hands No. 10 Vanderbilt its first loss of the season with a dominant 80-64 win

Texas kept it close in the late stages. After a defensive stop, Chendall Weaver grabbed an offensive rebound and scored his only bucket of the game with 8.3 seconds left, making it a one-possession game, 73-70, to cap an 8-0 run. However, Jacori Lane knocked down a foul shot to put the game away for the Aggies.

Dailyn Swain completed a 3-point play after getting fouled on a layup with 53.4 seconds remaining, cutting the Aggies’ lead to 73-68. Swain ended with 17 points on 6 for 11 shooting with six rebounds.

The Aggies opened the second half on a 9-2 flurry behind seven points by Griffen. They led by as much as 11 points after halftime. Longhorns head coach Sean Miller said the Aggies scored too many points on simple screening plays that led to wide-open layups.

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“We weren’t ready to play in the first four minutes of the second half,” Miller said. “There was one team ready to play from start to finish, and the other team, for whatever reason, didn’t get after it like you’re capable of in the SEC.”

FOOTBALL: Texas players withdrawing from transfer portal saved the secondary

Miller said that the 4-minute segment was the difference in the game. He described it as the team “not understanding the stakes.”

“We don’t have any room for error to overcome a segment like that,” Miller said. “For most of the game, I thought we played with a lot of effort and did a lot of great things.”

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For Texas, Jordan Pope hit four 3-pointers, finishing with 17 points. Matas Vokietaitis chipped in 14 points with nine rebounds, and Tramon Mark had 13 points with eight in the second half.

For Texas A&M, Rashaun Agee notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Ruben Dominguez chipped in 10. The Aggies shot 51%, 27-for-53, and the Longhorns were 42% from the field at 22-for-53.

The Longhorns ended the first half with a big shot from Mark to tie it up. He caught the ball above the 3-point arch, took a couple of dribbles, and buried a deep 3-pointer just before the horn to make it 29-29.

Texas outrebounded the Aggies 37-30 and beat them at the foul line with eight more makes, shooting 20-for-26. Texas A&M made the most out of its forced turnovers, scoring 15 points off eight Texas miscues. The Aggies’ bench outscored Texas’ 20-6.

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“We didn’t get much from our bench,” Miller said. “It was heavily favored on their end as far as the bench goes, and there was a wearing-down effect. They wore us down.”

Texas (11-7, 2-3 SEC) hits the road Wednesday to take on Kentucky, which scored a huge road win over Tennessee 80-78 on Saturday. Texas A&M (14-4, 4-1) hosts Mississippi State on Wednesday.

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