The Twenty fifth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (21-8, 13-3 SEC) are nonetheless driving the magic carpet that’s their six-game successful streak, simply days after defeating the Eleventh-ranked Tennessee Vols inside Reed Area on Tuesday night time to the tune of 12,989 Aggies in attendance. On Saturday, it was time to hit the highway as soon as once more to face maybe essentially the most harmful “bubble” staff in School Basketball, as Humphrey Coliseum awaited Texas A&M’s 2:30 PM afternoon showdown towards Mississippi State (19-9, 7-9 SEC).
Ranked contained in the Prime 10 in complete protection, the Bulldogs steadily ready for a rock struggle, understanding that slowing down Texas A&M’s offense early would end in constant offensive output on their finish whereas taking full benefit of senior ahead Tolu Smith’s top differential within the paint.
After a detailed first half and a brief Aggie run early within the second, Mississippi State placed on a defensive juggernaut whereas holding Texas A&M scoreless for over twelve minutes within the second half, defeating the Aggies 69-62 to maintain their NCAA Event hopes alive whereas ending Texas A&M’s six-game successful streak. Dropping to 13-3 within the SEC, the Aggies at the moment are on the skin trying when it comes to a daily season convention championship, but are safely within the NCAA Event as we sit right here at the moment.
Within the loss, guard Wade Taylor IV recorded his third 20-plus-point recreation with 21 factors and 4-9 from three, whereas Henry Coleman III and Andersson Garcia scored 11 every on the day. For Mississippi State, three gamers hit double-digit scoring together with Tolu Smith (17 factors, 6 rebounds), Cameron Matthews (11 factors, 5 rebounds), and Shakeel Moore (14 factors, 4 rebounds).
Virtually shut down from the sphere within the second half, the Aggies shot 39.5%, and 36.4% from 3-point vary on the day, matching the Bulldogs with 31 rebounds. The staff went 20-26 (76.9%) from the free-throw line, leading to a bulk of their offense down the stretch.
The primary half began nearly in addition to Mississippi State Head coach Chris Jans might have requested for, hovering out to a 21-14 lead on the eleven-minute mark after a 9-4 run, and taking pictures a extremely environment friendly 80% from the sphere. Nevertheless, the Aggies had been as soon as once more capable of depend on the new hand of sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV, who capped off a 7-2 run along with his third three-pointer (9 factors) on the afternoon, trailing 24-21 on the 7:49 Official T.V Timeout.
Aggies ahead and Mississippi State switch Andersson Garcia’s return again to Humphrey Coliseum proved to function a convention enhance, because the junior went 3-3 from the sphere, together with his second 3-pointer on the season mixed with 2 rebounds to convey the Aggies inside 2 factors on the second Offical T.V Timeout on the 2:45 mark. Regardless that the rebounding margin between each groups was paper skinny, the Bulldogs’ six offensive rebounds hindered Texas A&M’s offensive momentum, paired with 8 turnovers that led to a number of defensive stops from each squads, heading into halftime nonetheless trailing 30-28.
Texas A&M leaders on the half: Wade Taylor IV (3-5, 3-4 3-Level, 9 factors). Andersson Garcia (3-3, 1-1 3-Level, 9 factors). Group: 45.5% from the sphere, 44.4% (4-9) from 3-point. 15 factors within the paint. 15 rebounds.
Mississippi State leaders: Tolu Smith (3-4, 3 rebounds, 7 factors). Shakeel Moore (3-8, 1-5 3-point, 9 factors). Group: 40.7% from the sphere, 15.4% (2-13) from 3-point. 15 factors within the paint. 15 rebounds (7 offensive).
HALFTIME: Texas A&M: 28. Mississippi State: 30
Sloppy but intriguing is how I’d describe the primary half of this matchup, shifting to a second half that instantly noticed the Aggies rather more considered on offense, beginning the half on a 13-5 run orchestrated by Wade Taylor IV and Dexter Dennis’ three 3-pointers to take a 41-35 lead with 15:15 left. With out blinking, the Bulldogs rapidly lower into the deficit after making defensive changes, discovering open lanes, and making their approach to the free-throw line to go on their very own 12-5 run as Humphry Coliseum got here alive as soon as once more.
As each defenses went toe to toe in an elongated style, The Bulldogs held Texas A&M to their largest offensive drought of the season, the place Aggies had been held scoreless from the sphere for practically twelve minutes because the 14:09 mark of the second half, managing to remain inside 7 factors as a consequence of being within the double bonus with simply 2:02 remaining, trailing 62-54 all within the midst of a 13-5 Mississippi State run. Because the ugliness continued for the Maroon and White, the boxscore informed the story in a nutshell; with 20 fouls on the day, together with 5 from Solomon Washington, Tyrece Radford, and Andersson Garcia, the Aggies seemed unfocused, and barely depleted after their emotionally draining win over Tennessee on Tuesday night time.
With the foul recreation in movement, Henry Coleman III lastly broke via the scoring drought with a layup off a Bulldogs turnover to convey the Aggies inside 4 with 1:18 left, however would solely rating two extra factors from the free throw line in one of many extra disappointing second half performances this season for Texas A&M, shedding 69-62, and snapping their six-game successful streak.
Taking a more in-depth look into the loss, the Aggies surrendered 34 factors within the paint to the Bulldogs, who scored new the rim at will late within the recreation, conserving their protection contemporary to utterly shut down Texas A&M’s offensive units at a historic tempo. On paper, the Aggies performed properly sufficient on the defensive finish to come back out on the successful finish, holding the Bulldogs to 14.3% from deep, which can sting much more understanding that if the offense was just a bit higher within the second half, we could be discussing a 14 SEC win staff. One thought to ponder after the loss has been the disappearing act of senior guard Tyrece Radford, who went 0-5 from the sphere earlier than fouling out. Struggling across the rim since his 30-point highway efficiency towards Auburn on Feb. seventh, the previous “Boots” must reappear to ensure that the Aggies to perform their post-season objectives
Texas A&M will keep within the Magnolia state and journey to Oxford, Mississippi State to tackle Ole Miss (10-18, 2-13 SEC) on Tuesday night time, going to bounce again in a giant approach earlier than their season finale matchup with Alabama on Saturday, March 4th.
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