A&M used an amazing 35-3 run over a 12-minute stretch that spanned halftime to put the game out of reach. Trailing 28-24 with just over 7 minutes to go before the break, the Aggies scored the half's final 21 points and then allowed AMW just one bucket—a three-pointer—over the first five minutes of the third quarter to take a 59-33 lead with 5:19 to go in the frame.
Elston Turner led the team in scoring for the third straight game on the tour, pouring in 14. David Loubeau recorded his second double-double of the trip by adding 12 and grabbing 12 rebounds. Dash Harris scored 12 and added a game-high 6 assists, with Naji Hibbert (11) and Khris Middleton (10) also reaching double digits to help pace Texas A&M to victory.
“It was good that we were able to get production from everyone,” head coach Billy Kennedy said. “I thought everybody that played gave us something positive. We had more assists, made more shots and we scored off our defense, which that's what we want to do.”
AMW Elite, a collection of players from the top two professional leagues in France, Pro A and Pro B, was held to just 34 percent shooting on the afternoon and was out-rebounded by Texas A&M, 42-21. Souarata Cisse, who plays for Clermont in Pro B and is entering his ninth year in the professional ranks, led all scorers with 24 points. Georgi Joseph, who plays for Orléans in Pro A, added 13 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
The Aggies dished out 18 assists and tallied 12 steals, both tour highs.
“I thought we got better, but we didn't play quite as good a team, either,” Kennedy said. “We did wear them down, which was good to see, and our guys are getting in better shape also. Having a day off and being adjusted for this trip (to Paris) helped.”
Fans will be able to watch video highlights of the game—including interviews with several players—and view a photo gallery a bit later this afternoon on the brand-new aggieathletics.com.
Texas A&M will spend Monday, Assumption Day in Paris (a holiday), taking a boat cruise on the River Seine, holding a team dinner and then ascending the Eiffel Tower in the evening. The Aggies wrap up play on their European Tour on Tuesday evening, again meeting AMW at Halle Georges Carpentier with a tip time now set for 8 p.m. (1 p.m. Central). Scoring updates will be provided on the official Twitter feed at @AggieMensHoops.
Aggies Roll Past AMW Elite, 90-61
Five players scored in double figures to lead Texas A&M to a 90-61 rout of AMW Elite on Sunday afternoon inside Halle Georges Carpentier in the Aggies' third game of their European Tour.