Texas A&M defeats Florida 54-52 in heated defensive battle

Texas A&M (13-5, 5-0 SEC) narrowly defeated the visiting Florida Gators (10-8, 3-3 SEC) 54-52 on Wednesday night time in what may solely be described as a defensive melee dished up by poor capturing by each groups, because the Aggies shot a pedestrian 35.5% from the sphere, which regarded heroic in comparison with Florida’s paltry 26.2%, and eight.0% within the first half.

The Aggies had been as soon as once more led by Julius Marble with 19 factors, scoring 12 on 6-9 capturing of the staff’s 23 factors at halftime. Dexter Dennis recorded yet one more double-double, scoring 11 factors and 16 rebounds, whereas Wade Taylor IV as soon as once more offered clutch moments deep into the sport, scoring solely 8 factors on 2-15 capturing, however hitting 4 game-changing free throws within the remaining minute of the second half on an evening that noticed solely seven journeys to the charity stripe for the Aggies, hitting an ideal 7-7.

From an offensive standpoint, Texas A&M except for Julius Marble’s early dominance within the paint dropped off tremendously from what we noticed in opposition to South Carolina, which is to be anticipated after scoring what’s going to probably stay a season excessive 94 factors and 56% capturing. This recreation, nevertheless, will probably be remembered for the defensive effort proven by each applications, and Florida’s second-half comeback harking back to the quite a few blown leads Texas A&M has handled in Head coach Buzz Williams’ tenure.

Main 23-12 on the half, Dexter Dennis made a layup on the 18:54 mark to increase the lead, however after an erratic capturing stretch mixed with a number of 3-pointers from the Gators, the hole started to steadily shrink, and scoring at any degree for the Aggies grew to become a premium. After a gradual dose of feeding Gators star ahead Colin Castleton to the tune of 10 second-half factors, Texas A&M maintained a 46-43 lead with 2:17 left within the recreation, till Henry Coleman III dedicated his fifth foul sending Will Richard to the free throw line to make is 46-44.

Wade Taylor IV and Castelton traded baskets to make it 48-46, and after two missed jumpers from Taylor, the Aggies rebounded each misses which ultimately despatched Taylor to the free throw line, hitting each from the stripe to make it 50-46. After a Riley Kugel 3-pointer, Florida once more fouled Taylor who knocked in his remaining two from the free-throw line, which leads us to one of many craziest endings you’ll see all yr.

Trailing 52-49 on what appeared to be Florida’s remaining possession, guard Myreon Jones missed a layup resulting in a Colin Castelton offensive rebound and shot try, which was blocked by Aggies ahead Andersson Garcia, throwing the ball to Tyrece Radford for a breakaway dunk with 4 seconds remaining, and what appeared to be the sport ender.

Letting up defensively on the inbound, Myreon Jones nailed a 3-pointer to provide the Gators’ life, which was additional prolonged after Andersson Garcia turned the ball over on the inbound try, giving Florida another shot to win, or drive additional time. With one final defensive cease wanted, Dexter Dennis manned up on the recent hand of Myreon Jones, who couldn’t get round Dennis’s protection, forcing a shot up that didn’t clear the rim, because the Aggies celebrated accordingly after one of many hardest fought wins of the season up to now.

Texas A&M will journey to face the Kentucky Wildcats contained in the historic Rupp Enviornment on Saturday, Jan. twenty first, the place the sport will begin at 1:00 PM CT. and air on ESPN.