Texas A&M
ALABAMA A&M
Aggies Roll to 100-65 Win over Bulldogs
Nov 26, 2003 | Men's Basketball
November 26, 2003
Jesse King shattered his career high scoring with 23 points to go along with eight rebounds as the Aggies rolled over Alabama A&M 100-65 Wednesday before 4,678 at Reed Arena.
King's previous high was 17 points as the senior forward paced the Aggies (2-0) in both points and rebounds for the second straight game. Antoine Wright, the Aggies leading returning scorer posted 14.
Alabama A&M (0-2) dropped its second straight to open the season. The Bulldogs were led by Terry Horton with 15 points.
Texas A&M jumped out to a 51-36 halftime lead behind an early 10 points by Wright. The Bulldogs caught the Aggies off guard with a defensive press in the second half, cutting the lead to nine.
Sparked by seven quick points by Marcus Watkins, the Aggies distanced themselves with a 14-0 run over a four minute period to take an 80-57 lead with nine minutes remaining. He finished with a career high 13 points.
Alabama A&M scored just one field goal and 6 free throws in the final 13 minutes of play as the Aggies outscored them 32-8 down the stretch.
Texas A&M freshman point guard Acie Law left the game early in the first half with an ankle injury. Law, who had four points in nine minutes, is one of two newcomer point guards for the Aggies.
It was just the third time the Aggies have broken the century mark in scoring since Melvin Watkins took the coaching job in 1998.
Postgame Notes and Quotes
Texas A&M Senior Forward Jesse King: "This year, versus the past, we have a lot more guys who are capable of scoring. The problem right now is that we're so anxious when we are on defense to get the ball back and score that we forget to play defense. It's hard to guard people with no intensity. Our defensive intensity picked up in the second half. I feel very comfortable right now. I'm injury-free, mentally free, and I'm more focused."
Texas A&M Sophomore Guard Marcus Watkins: "Things are a lot better this year than last year. We have subs coming off the bench and scoring. We are comfortable with anyone having the ball. I feel a lot more comfortable, I have more confidence in my teammates and it shows on the court. You can pass it to anyone on our team and they'll score."
Texas A&M Head Coach Melvin Watkins: "Acie (Law) is day-to-day right now. He popped his ankle pretty good and its pretty tender. I think we can go to our bench with different combinations and be effective. We had 29 assists and eight turnovers. Leandro may have to go back to point depending on Acie's status, and he's capable of it. I like him more on the wing with his shooting capabilities. We need to make sure we come out strong early in the second half, and get going early. Overall, I was really pleased from the first game to the second as far as intensity on defense is concerned. Jesse (King) is becoming more comfortable in his role as a player. We're starting to see his senior leadership come out. I think there's another level to Jesse's game that we haven't seen yet, and we'll need that later."
NOTES:
*Jesse King's 23 points were a career high. His former best was 17 against Oklahoma State in 2002. Through two games, King leads the team in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (9.5).
*Marcus Watkins scored a career-high 13 points. His previous best was 12 last season against Louisiana-Monroe.
*Leandro Garcia-Morales had a career high in assists for the second straight game with five. He had four in the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
*Through two games, junior point guard Bobby Leach has handed out 15 assists with just two turnovers. Backcourt mate Acie Law IV has had 10 assists and no turnovers. The two point guards have combined for 25 assists and just two turnovers for the season.
