Texas A&M
GRAMBLING
Aggies Defeat Grambling in Double Overtime
Dec 21, 2003 | Men's Basketball
December 21, 2003
Antoine Wright scored a career-high 32 points to lead A&M to a double overtime 103-101 victory over Grambling State Sunday night before 3,829 fans at Reed Arena.
The biggest of Wright's shots didn't even go in the basket. With just six seconds left and the Tigers leading 101-100, Grambling was called for goaltending and a foul against the sophomore forward. Wright drained the ensuing free-throw to turn the three-point play and seal A&M's overtime win.
Grambling (2-7) had scored over 60 just twice this season entering the game, both resulting in their only two wins of the season. Brion Rush and Paul Haynes led Grambling's five players in double figures with 24 and 22 points respectively.
Texas A&M (5-3) continued to struggle defensively, giving up 56-percent shooting to the Tigers. But A&M's offense answered the call, getting career performances from Wright and freshman point guard Acie Law. Law scored 16 points after halftime and restored leads for the Aggies on five occasions starting with three minutes left in the second half.
The Aggies took a 47-42 halftime lead and then missed their first seven free throws of the second half. It was part of nine straight misses at the charity stripe as Grambling jumped out to a 71-67 lead.
Wright broke the slump with five straight free throws for A&M to pull the Aggies within one at 73-72.
Haynes and Law exchanged baskets in the final stretch of the first half, each with six points in the final three minutes of regulation to leave the game tied at 81-81.
Grambling's Jamar Lewis missed the front-end of a one-and-one at the line with four seconds remaining sending the game into overtime.
Haynes fouled out with 1:17 left in overtime and 22 points.
Law hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining for the lead, only to watch Ron Ellis answer with two seconds left, tying the game at 90 for a second overtime before Wright sealed the game.
Maurice Searight had a triple double for Grambling with 13 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
Postgame Notes and Quotes
TEXAS A&M HEAD COACH MELVIN WATKINS: "It was quite a battle. It was like we took the holidays off before they got here. We just don't get it yet. You look back at the game against UTSA (on Thursday), where we played good defense, then tonight it was a totally different team. I knew Antoine would have a breakout night. Hopefully, now he can maintain it. We made 25 of 44 free throws and you don't win many games like that. It was just one of those games. I got on them pretty hard in the locker room after the game and they needed it. We gave up drives to the basket, then didn't step over (to help)."
- Antoine Wright scored a career-high 32 points. His previous best was 25 last year against Miami (Fla.) and Texas. Wright also made 5-of-10 three-pointers, matching his season high (Prairie View A&M).
- Andy Slocum scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, his third double-double of the year and the seventh of his career.
- The Aggies 44 free throw attempts tie a Reed Arena record set by UT-Pan American three seasons ago (2000-01).
- Acie Law had a career-high 9 assists and his 18 points were one point shy of his career best (19 at Tennessee).
