A&M outplayed in all facets as Boise State dominates in Fort Worth, 86-71
FORT WORTH — Frustration seemed to pour from Texas A&M basketball coach Buzz Williams as he pored over the box score from an 86-71 loss to Boise State on Saturday night at Dickies Arena.
“They shot better from the 3 (point line) than they have all year,” Williams said of Boise State. “They shot better from 2 than they shot all year. They shot better from the free throw line than they have all year. They shot more free throws than they have all year.”
Indeed, Boise State (6-2) shot 53.2 percent from the field, 44 percent beyond the arc and 80.6 percent (29-of-36) from the free throw line.
Boise State guard Max Rice scored 25 points and guard Marcus Shaver scored 20.
Wade Taylor IV scored 16 points to lead five Aggies in double figures. Henry Coleman had 12, Boots Radford 11 and Dexter Dennis and Solomon Washington each had 10.
But the Aggies shot only 41.4 percent from the field. They fell behind early, never led and couldn’t manage sufficient offense to mount a comeback.
Williams said the Aggies offensive problems started with issues on the defensive end.
Boise State set the tone by converting its first five 3-point attempts. The Broncos hit 7-of-14 from 3-point range en route to taking a 37-28 halftime lead that was too much for A&M to overcome.
“I think we were offensive sensitive wanting us to make 3’s while they were making 3’s,” Williams said. "Our offense is best when our defense fuels it. Tonight, defensively, statistically, was the worst we’ve played. Obviously, them making 3’s contributes to that. Taking the ball out of the net over and over and over is not going to fuel your offense.”
Boise State took control about midway through the first half.
Meanwhile, A&M made just 1-of-9 attempts from behind the arc. Complicating matters, the Aggies hit just 5-of-13 layups in the first half.
Boise State’s held a 31-20 lead when guard Chibuzo Agbo drilled a trey from the corner with 8:54 left in the half.
The Aggies cut the margin to six, 33-27, on a Taylor jumper from the left wing with 1:50 left in the half.
However, from there the Aggies managed only a Julius Marble free throw.
There was a measure of optimism in the Aggies locker room at halftime. They were still in contention even though they had converted only 1-of-9 shots from 3-point range in the first half.
Also, Boise State didn’t figure to stay as hot in the second half. The Broncos weren’t, but did not cool off enough for the Aggies to mount a rally.
The Broncos made 4-of-11 attempts from 3-point range in the second half, but still shot 50 percent from the field. They also converted 23-of-29 free throws.
Meanwhile, A&M only scored consecutive field goals once in the second half.
That was when Washington followed a layup with a breakaway dunk to pull the Aggies within 45-39 with 15:03 to play.
But Agbo answered with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 48-39. A&M never again got closer than eight points.
