A&M erases double-digit, second-half deficit to beat Notre Dame, 73-67

The Texas A&M basketball team scored 51 second-half points, overcoming a 32-22 first-half deficit and pulling away late to defeat Notre Dame 73-67. The win secured the Maui Invitational consolation bracket for the Aggies, who won two after dropping their opening contest to tournament champion Wisconsin.

The Aggies turned up the defensive pressure in the second stanza, speeding up the tempo of the game, creating 12 second-half turnovers resulting in 40 points in the paint.

“Our chance (to win) is to play incredibly hard and pressure the ball and don’t get beat off the bounce,” said head coach Buzz Williams. “We didn’t do that in the first half. At halftime, No. 4 (Wade Taylor IV) was the head coach. He started the conversation. It was well-received. I just agreed with him.”

The victory marked the Aggies’ largest comeback win in the Buzz Williams era. The second half also was A&M’s best shooting half under Williams, as the Maroon & White shot 18 of 27 for a 66.7% field goal hit rate.

Quenton Jackson once again led the Aggies in scoring with 18 points. Hassan Diarra chipped in 17 while Wade Taylor added 14. Playing deep into his bench, Williams’ squad led Notre Dame 60-13 in bench points.

The Aggies return to action on Tuesday, November 30 to face New Orleans at Reed Arena.