Aggies hold off Tigers with late free throws
COLLEGE STATION — Early on, Texas A&M was partying like it was 2020 against Texas Southern — blocking shots, collecting dunks and, for the most part, having a big time before a few thousand revelers Monday night at Reed Arena.
About 10 minutes into the contest and after quickly blowing an 8-1 lead, the Aggies realized they had a fight on their hands if they wanted to have a happy new year under coach Buzz Williams.
In the end, the Aggies outlasted the Tigers 58-55 to set themselves up for Southeastern Conference play with a three-game win streak.
“We’re starting to play better as a team,” said A&M forward Josh Nebo, who collected a game-high 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. “We still have a lot of work to do, and it’s going to be tough every night. But as a team, we’re ready.”
The Aggies grabbed a 54-50 lead when guard Andre Gordon twirled and tossed a alley-oop pass to Savion Flagg with 3:05 remaining. The game was far from over, however.
A&M clung to a 55-54 lead with 1:19 remaining when Nebo was fouled. He missed both free throws, giving TSU another chance to grab the lead.
Nebo responded by blocking Chris Baldwin’s short jumper in the paint, although Gordon turned over the ball on the other end. Following another TSU miss, this time by John Jones, Jay Jay Chandler was fouled.
But Chandler made only the second of two free throws, and the Aggies led 56-54 with 29 seconds left. TSU’s Tyrik Armstrong missed a jumper in the lane, and Flagg grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He made both free throws and had 18 points.
“I knew it was winning time, and the game was winding down,” Nebo said . “I just wanted to do anything I could to help us win the game.”
The Tigers are no strangers to hostile environments in nonconference action, having already played at top-ranked Gonzaga and No. 4 Oregon along with Arkansas and Arizona State among others. They have played 11 of their first 13 games on the road.
“If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger,” second-year Tigers coach Johnny Jones said. “We came in here with the right mindset, and the guys were certainly ready for the challenge. The (Aggies) made a couple of necessary plays (late), and we missed a couple of looks we had.”
Both teams crank up league play on Saturday. The Aggies begin SEC competition at Arkansas, while the Tigers host Southern to start their SWAC slate.
Asked if his team is ready for SEC play, an always-pondering Williams shrugged and said, “I don’t know. … We will not be favored in a game the rest of the year.”