Photo by Brice Jones, TexAgs.com
Texas A&M Basketball
Stats: 14 points, 6 assists (1 turnover), 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 5-9 FG, 1-2 3PT
Scoop: I could have gone with Elston Turner or David Loubeau here because both of them played very well and were key to A&M's ability to pull off an incredible, grind-it-out overtime victory. But the no doubt player of the game was Dash Harris. The senior kick-started the game by making a pair of difficult driving layups in traffic, and that ignited a truly great all-around performance. Harris played like he did a week ago vs. Texas Tech … in total control of the basketball game. Dash managed to play all-out for 43 minutes and only committed one turnover in the contest, dishing out six assists. He scored 14 points and many of those came in the paint.
He played the game the right way and did not play outside the realm of what he can and can't do well. I'll take a 1-of-2 line from three-point range out of Dash … never a 1-of-8. Also, the hidden difference maker was Harris' impact on the defensive end. He guarded his tail off and came up with a few extremely difficult rebounds amongst the trees, including an unbelievable board at the end of regulation. When Harris plays the way he did today, A&M is not a bad team at all. They'll need this type of Dash Harris and then some moving forward if they have any hope of getting out of this 2-4 hole in Big 12 play.
Other notables:
* Elston Turner - 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists (2 turnovers), 7-18 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-6 FT
* David Loubeau - 16 points, 5 rebounds (4 offensive), 7-11 FG
* Naji Hibbert - 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists (1 turnover), 3-6 FG, 2-4 3 PT
Dash Harris one-on-one after win over OU
Star of the Game
Dash HarrisStats: 14 points, 6 assists (1 turnover), 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 5-9 FG, 1-2 3PT
Scoop: I could have gone with Elston Turner or David Loubeau here because both of them played very well and were key to A&M's ability to pull off an incredible, grind-it-out overtime victory. But the no doubt player of the game was Dash Harris. The senior kick-started the game by making a pair of difficult driving layups in traffic, and that ignited a truly great all-around performance. Harris played like he did a week ago vs. Texas Tech … in total control of the basketball game. Dash managed to play all-out for 43 minutes and only committed one turnover in the contest, dishing out six assists. He scored 14 points and many of those came in the paint.
He played the game the right way and did not play outside the realm of what he can and can't do well. I'll take a 1-of-2 line from three-point range out of Dash … never a 1-of-8. Also, the hidden difference maker was Harris' impact on the defensive end. He guarded his tail off and came up with a few extremely difficult rebounds amongst the trees, including an unbelievable board at the end of regulation. When Harris plays the way he did today, A&M is not a bad team at all. They'll need this type of Dash Harris and then some moving forward if they have any hope of getting out of this 2-4 hole in Big 12 play.
Other notables:
* Elston Turner - 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists (2 turnovers), 7-18 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-6 FT
* David Loubeau - 16 points, 5 rebounds (4 offensive), 7-11 FG
* Naji Hibbert - 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists (1 turnover), 3-6 FG, 2-4 3 PT
One-on-one Locker Room Chat with Dash Harris
On how big this win was for the team…
"It was very big for us and it was an important game because of the way we started off conference. It puts us in a position where we have to win every game at home. It started with this one and it was an important game because it was the next game on the schedule. Oklahoma has a great team so it was really important that we got this win, and I'm glad we got it."On playing his game and doing it well…
"I just wanted to be aggressive and I just take what comes to me. Whether they fall or not, I have to take the shots that come to me to keep the defense honest. I have confidence in myself and if I thought that I couldn't shoot, I wouldn't take those shots. But I take and make shots in practice and it's just a matter of time before they fall. But I just want to be aggressive in other areas … whether it's getting to the paint and creating for my teammates or myself. I'm here to play every night."On the upperclassmen stepping up in a close ball game…
"We have to step up in those areas, being the senior leaders or the older guys on the team. It's up to us to step up and I'm sure the team will follow. In overtime, it's very vital that we get great shots, and big time players take and make big shots. And we did that today."On shooting 14.3 percent at the line in the first half but going 9-of-12 in OT…
"We stepped up with that extra focus and we knew that we needed to win this game. We shoot free throws all day … it's just a matter of relaxing, taking your time and knocking them down."On the crowd's impact on the outcome of the game…
"The crowd was great today and I don't think they understand how much of a difference that they make to our play, offensively and defensively. To see everybody on their feet screaming and making noise is great. It's a lovely feeling and I appreciate all of the students and all of the fans that came out. And hopefully they will come back and bring a friend, and we can keep this thing rolling and get back to being the Texas A&M that we've been in the past."On what it will take to beat Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday…
"Just doing all of the little things … boxing out on rebounds and all of the little things that we have been doing since day one. We have to step up … everybody has to step up … not just the senior leaders. It will be an adverse environment but that is what college basketball is all about. I can't wait."Never miss the latest news from TexAgs!
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