Cold shooting, turnovers doom No. 14 Texas A&M at Virginia, 59-47

Press conference video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

Too many errors, too much inaccuracy and perhaps too much fatigue were just too much for Texas A&M to overcome.

The No. 14 Aggies (6-2) managed just one more field goal converted than turnovers committed on Wednesday night in a 59-47 college basketball loss at Virginia (6-1) in Charlottesville.

A&M never could get into an offensive flow against the Cavaliers’ notoriously deliberate style of play.

As a result, A&M, which is among the best nations leaders in offensive rebounds, attempted only 56 shots from the field. Complicating matters, the Aggies committed 16 turnovers.

“In order for us to do what we needed to do on the offensive glass, we have to get a shot,” A&M head coach Buzz Williams said. “Tonight, we had 16 turnovers. (We) Still shot more balls than they did and shot more free throws.

“But if you give them 16 turnovers in a 59-possession game, it’s just really hard to overcome mathematically.”

Perhaps the only bright spot for the Aggies was forward Henry Coleman III, who returned to the lineup after sitting out a Sunday victory over Iowa State.

Coleman recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. It was his fourth double-double in seven games.

“He helps,” Williams said of Coleman. “I think he’s a pretty good player."

However, Coleman didn’t get much help as the Aggies, who were playing without guard Tyrece Radford for the second consecutive game, were held to their lowest-scoring output of the season by 26 points.

No one else scored in double figures. Guard Wade Taylor IV was limited to nine points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Taylor wasn’t alone in his misfiring. The Aggies shot just 30.4 percent overall and were a frigid 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Virginia had an excellent night behind the arc. The Cavaliers hit 9 of 25 shots from 3-point range. A&M’s defense often appeared a step or two slow getting out to contest deep shots.

Guard Andrew Rohde hit a trio of triples en route to a team-high 13 points. Every Virginia starter scored in double figures, but the Cavs got no points from the bench.

Fatigue may have been an issue.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor’s nine points are his fewest in a game this season. He committed five turnovers.

The Aggies played three games from last Thursday to Sunday in Orlando, Florida. They were back in College Station less than two days before traveling to Charlottesville.

That all seemed to take a toll late in the first half.

Despite all their problems, the Aggies reeled off a 10-0 run to take a 23-20 lead on a Coleman put-back with 5:03 left in the first half.

However, they managed just one more field goal and trailed 27-26 at halftime.

Then, Virginia immediately took control in the second half. Rhode hit a pair of 3-pointers and a jumper to lead the 14-2 charge as the Cavaliers took a 41-28 lead.

A&M tried to fight back. Wildens Leveque hit four consecutive free throws to close an 8-0 run, which enabled the Aggies to pull within five points, 41-36, with 9:39 to play.

Alas, the Aggies could get no closer.

Virginia’s Ryan Dunn beat A&M’s defense for a dunk and added two free throws on the next possession as the Cavaliers regained control and never relinquished it.