Aggies bounce back with 57-50 win over Butler in Maui Invitational

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team used a dominating 16-3 run in the final 7:21 of the first half to jump out to a double-digit 33-21 advantage en route to a 57-50 win over the Butler Bulldogs.

The key to A&M’s success was the relentless defensive pressure that forced mistake-prone Butler into 19 turnovers. The Bulldogs struggled to find an offensive rhythm most of the game, tallying just 50 points. Ranked No. 13 in the country in three-point conversions, the Aggies held Butler to three makes beyond the arc in the first half, and just 5-of-20 for the game.  

“Butler scores a lot off of ball screens, and we had success in the first half because our ball screen coverage was really good,” said head coach Buzz Williams. “Our defensive turnover rate is important to how we play, and that comes from how well we guard the ball.”

Brian Spurlock/Maui Jim Maui Invitational

Despite fouling out in the final seconds, Henry Coleman played a key role in the win. 

Quenton Jackson led the way for the Aggies with a very productive stat sheet that included a team-high 15 points and five steals to go with several critical three-point baskets and two free throws to seal the game in the closing minute after Butler cut the lead to 53-50 with 27 seconds left.

“I felt I stepped up as a leader, not just in scoring, but responding when things don’t go our way,” said Quenton Jackson. “It’s figuring out different ways to help this team. Whether that be scoring, playing defense, getting rebounds, creating turnovers. Whatever it takes.”

Texas A&M appeared in control most of the game, leading for all but 57 seconds of the contest. However, A&M could never land the knock-out blow, missing opportunities on several fastbreaks as well as missing 10 free throws (11-of-21). That looked like it might cost the Aggies when Butler cut the lead to three points in the closing minute, but Marcus Williams and Jackson closed it out with four straight free throws to ice the game.

Henry Coleman flexed his muscle inside, with a team-high 10 rebounds along with eight points.  Marcus Williams and Tyrece Radford also chipped in eight points for the Aggies. Butler’s Jair Bolden led the Bulldogs with 10 points.

The Aggies advance to the 5th place game and will face either Notre Dame or Chaminade tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. central.