Photo by Matt Sachs, TexAgs
Texas A&M Basketball
Despite cold shooting, Aggies take 61-60 road victory against MSU
If the mark of a good team is indeed winning despite playing poorly, then No. 21 Texas A&M re-affirmed its status on Wednesday night.
Alex Caruso, Jalen Jones, Anthony Collins and Admon Gilder posted key plays in the final seconds to allow the cold-shooting Aggies to escape with a 61-60 victory over Mississippi State.
Caruso fired a pass to Jones for a baseline layup that gave the Aggies a 59-57 lead with 20.6 seconds left.
Then on the defensive end, Collins swatted the basketball away from Mississippi State’s Craig Sword and, after a scramble for the loose ball, the possession arrow was with the Aggies.
Gilder was fouled on the inbounds pass and converted both free throws for a four-point lead.
Mississippi State’s Quinndary Weatherspoon hit a meaningless three-pointer with two seconds left to end the scoring.
Jones, Caruso and D.J. Hogg all scored 11 points and Gilder came off the bench to add 10 for the Aggies (12-2, 2-0 in the SEC).
A&M was without second-leading scorer Danuel House, who reportedly returned home on Wednesday for “personal reasons.”
The Aggies missed him terribly. They shot just 30.6 percent (19 of 62), but compensated with nine three-point goals and 20 offensive rebounds.
Mississippi State (7-6, 0-1) was led by forward Gavin Ware with 15 points, guard Malik Newman with 14 and Weatherspoon with 12.
Although the Aggies posted their fifth consecutive victory, it was apparent from the outset that this win would be much more difficult to notch.
They had won each of the previous four games by double digits, but had trouble putting the ball through the hoop this time.
The Aggies converted just three of their first 22 shots in a sluggish first half. They were fortunate to be trailing just 21-13 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half.
However, Caruso assisted Tonny Trocha-Morelos on a baseline jumper to start a 15-4 run that was marked by three three-pointers and a four-point play.
Collins followed Trocha-Morelos’ basket with a three-pointer from the top-of-the-key and was fouled. He made the free throw to complete the four-point play.
Caruso and Hogg hit three-pointers to forge a 25-25 tie. Then, Hogg hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to give A&M a 28-25 lead.
Alex Caruso, Jalen Jones, Anthony Collins and Admon Gilder posted key plays in the final seconds to allow the cold-shooting Aggies to escape with a 61-60 victory over Mississippi State.
Caruso fired a pass to Jones for a baseline layup that gave the Aggies a 59-57 lead with 20.6 seconds left.
Then on the defensive end, Collins swatted the basketball away from Mississippi State’s Craig Sword and, after a scramble for the loose ball, the possession arrow was with the Aggies.
Gilder was fouled on the inbounds pass and converted both free throws for a four-point lead.
Mississippi State’s Quinndary Weatherspoon hit a meaningless three-pointer with two seconds left to end the scoring.
Jones, Caruso and D.J. Hogg all scored 11 points and Gilder came off the bench to add 10 for the Aggies (12-2, 2-0 in the SEC).
A&M was without second-leading scorer Danuel House, who reportedly returned home on Wednesday for “personal reasons.”
The Aggies missed him terribly. They shot just 30.6 percent (19 of 62), but compensated with nine three-point goals and 20 offensive rebounds.
Mississippi State (7-6, 0-1) was led by forward Gavin Ware with 15 points, guard Malik Newman with 14 and Weatherspoon with 12.
Although the Aggies posted their fifth consecutive victory, it was apparent from the outset that this win would be much more difficult to notch.
They had won each of the previous four games by double digits, but had trouble putting the ball through the hoop this time.
The Aggies converted just three of their first 22 shots in a sluggish first half. They were fortunate to be trailing just 21-13 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half.
However, Caruso assisted Tonny Trocha-Morelos on a baseline jumper to start a 15-4 run that was marked by three three-pointers and a four-point play.
Collins followed Trocha-Morelos’ basket with a three-pointer from the top-of-the-key and was fouled. He made the free throw to complete the four-point play.
Caruso and Hogg hit three-pointers to forge a 25-25 tie. Then, Hogg hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to give A&M a 28-25 lead.
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