Billy Kennedy
House & Jones
ISU's Steve Prohm
Texas A&M Basketball
No. 5 Texas A&M uses late run to down No. 14 Iowa State, 72-62
Well, at least the Aggies remain undefeated in one conference.
Senior Danuel House scored 12 points in the final four minutes to lead a decisive rally that propelled No. 5 Texas A&M (18-3) to a 72-62 college basketball victory over No. 14 Iowa State on Saturday at Reed Arena.
It was the fourth victory over a Big 12 opponent for the Aggies, who bounced back in a big way from a 74-71 Southeastern Conference loss to Arkansas on Wednesday. A&M previously defeated Big 12 foes Texas, Baylor and Kansas State all by 10 more points.
The victory was the Aggies’ 13th at home, their third win over a ranked opponent and the 300th triumph of Coach Billy Kennedy’s career.
It also should provide a major boost in terms of seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State (16-5) has posted victories over No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Iowa and No. Kansas.
“It feels really good because this sets the standard high for our team,” House said. “It lets us know that we can compete with anyone in the world. (Iowa State) is a great team. They took down Kansas and Oklahoma.
“So, now it may raise the eyebrows of people. Like: ‘What can Texas A&M really do?”
Kirby Clarke, TexAgs
Danuel House took over the game in the final five minutes, powering the 9-0 run the Aggies used to take the lead for the final time.
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There was no doubting what House could do, especially when he slammed home a massive dunk on a three-point play that gave the Aggies a 68-60 lead with 55.9 seconds left.
He completed the scoring with a breakaway dunk that brought the sellout crowd of 12,472 to its feet.
“He took over,” Kennedy said. “What was really good was that he was patient. He didn’t force anything. He let us run stuff and get the ball in the right places. He did a heck of a job being disciplined, being patient and making plays.”
House led A&M with 20 points, while center Tyler Davis had 15 and forward Jalen Jones 13.
Iowa State was led by forward Georges Niang with 15 points and Deonte Burton with 11.
It was a hard-fought game that was tied nine times and had 15 lead changes.
The final lead change came when House drilled a three-pointer for 59-58 lead with 4:04 remaining that sparked a pivotal 16-4 rally down the stretch.
He followed with a driving layup and then a pair of free throws. When he did miss, Davis tipped in the rebound for a 65-58 lead with 1:49 left.
Niang came back with a pair of free throws, but then House’s spectacular three-point play settled the issue.
“I was just being patient and playing within the team concept,” House said. “I was just trying to let it all come natural instead of trying to force everything. I was grateful that my teammates and everybody on the staff ran plays for me. They found me and got me the ball.”
Meanwhile, Iowa State was frustrated by missed opportunities.
Losing for the first time when holding the opponent to fewer than 80 points, the Cyclones committed 16 turnovers which led to 21 A&M points, converted just four of 12 free throws and managed just one field goal in the final four-and-a-half minutes.
“There was a couple of possession we had opportunities to score and then something happened,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said. “We have to do a better job in execution and I have to do a better job putting guys in position.
“We got down five and I think we got a little three-happy with still about a minute-thirty, a minute-forty to go. That’s a lot of time. I think we were looking for the home run. I should have been emphasizing paint-touch, paint-touch. We tried to get it all back too quick.”
Kennedy said the key to A&M’s defensive effort was containing guard point guard Monte Morris, who was averaging 15.5 points but was held to eight.
“He got away from us in the first half and he got away from us early in the second half,” Kennedy said of Morris. “Tonny (Trocha-Morelos) came in and did some good things for us that go unnoticed. Admon Gilder guarded him some. Alex Caruso guarded him some. Anthony Collins. We were able to rotate guys at him. He didn’t get in the lane as much like he did in the first half and some of the early second half.”
Although it was a milestone victory, Kennedy didn’t appear to enjoy it as much as he typically would. Kennedy has a close relationship with Prohm, who served as an assistant coach under him for 12 years.
Kennedy became outwardly emotional when discussing Prohm, but assured their relationship did not compromise the joy of winning.
“Not really,” Kennedy said. “He’s the same way. He’s not hurting any less for losing (to me). It’s what we do, but it’s not who we are.”
Senior Danuel House scored 12 points in the final four minutes to lead a decisive rally that propelled No. 5 Texas A&M (18-3) to a 72-62 college basketball victory over No. 14 Iowa State on Saturday at Reed Arena.
It was the fourth victory over a Big 12 opponent for the Aggies, who bounced back in a big way from a 74-71 Southeastern Conference loss to Arkansas on Wednesday. A&M previously defeated Big 12 foes Texas, Baylor and Kansas State all by 10 more points.
The victory was the Aggies’ 13th at home, their third win over a ranked opponent and the 300th triumph of Coach Billy Kennedy’s career.
It also should provide a major boost in terms of seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State (16-5) has posted victories over No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Iowa and No. Kansas.
“It feels really good because this sets the standard high for our team,” House said. “It lets us know that we can compete with anyone in the world. (Iowa State) is a great team. They took down Kansas and Oklahoma.
“So, now it may raise the eyebrows of people. Like: ‘What can Texas A&M really do?”
Kirby Clarke, TexAgs
Danuel House took over the game in the final five minutes, powering the 9-0 run the Aggies used to take the lead for the final time.
{"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"Danuel House took over the game in the final five minutes, powering the 9-0 run the Aggies used to take the lead for the final time.","MediaItemID":65497}
He completed the scoring with a breakaway dunk that brought the sellout crowd of 12,472 to its feet.
“He took over,” Kennedy said. “What was really good was that he was patient. He didn’t force anything. He let us run stuff and get the ball in the right places. He did a heck of a job being disciplined, being patient and making plays.”
House led A&M with 20 points, while center Tyler Davis had 15 and forward Jalen Jones 13.
Iowa State was led by forward Georges Niang with 15 points and Deonte Burton with 11.
It was a hard-fought game that was tied nine times and had 15 lead changes.
The final lead change came when House drilled a three-pointer for 59-58 lead with 4:04 remaining that sparked a pivotal 16-4 rally down the stretch.
He followed with a driving layup and then a pair of free throws. When he did miss, Davis tipped in the rebound for a 65-58 lead with 1:49 left.
Niang came back with a pair of free throws, but then House’s spectacular three-point play settled the issue.
“I was just being patient and playing within the team concept,” House said. “I was just trying to let it all come natural instead of trying to force everything. I was grateful that my teammates and everybody on the staff ran plays for me. They found me and got me the ball.”
Meanwhile, Iowa State was frustrated by missed opportunities.
Losing for the first time when holding the opponent to fewer than 80 points, the Cyclones committed 16 turnovers which led to 21 A&M points, converted just four of 12 free throws and managed just one field goal in the final four-and-a-half minutes.
“There was a couple of possession we had opportunities to score and then something happened,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said. “We have to do a better job in execution and I have to do a better job putting guys in position.
“We got down five and I think we got a little three-happy with still about a minute-thirty, a minute-forty to go. That’s a lot of time. I think we were looking for the home run. I should have been emphasizing paint-touch, paint-touch. We tried to get it all back too quick.”
Kennedy said the key to A&M’s defensive effort was containing guard point guard Monte Morris, who was averaging 15.5 points but was held to eight.
“He got away from us in the first half and he got away from us early in the second half,” Kennedy said of Morris. “Tonny (Trocha-Morelos) came in and did some good things for us that go unnoticed. Admon Gilder guarded him some. Alex Caruso guarded him some. Anthony Collins. We were able to rotate guys at him. He didn’t get in the lane as much like he did in the first half and some of the early second half.”
Although it was a milestone victory, Kennedy didn’t appear to enjoy it as much as he typically would. Kennedy has a close relationship with Prohm, who served as an assistant coach under him for 12 years.
Kennedy became outwardly emotional when discussing Prohm, but assured their relationship did not compromise the joy of winning.
“Not really,” Kennedy said. “He’s the same way. He’s not hurting any less for losing (to me). It’s what we do, but it’s not who we are.”
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