Texas A&M
2-0
Southern
1-1
Aggies roll past Southern, 83-58
Nov 13, 2011 | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Junior forward Ray Turner scored 20 points and No. 20 Texas A&M beat Southern 83-58 Sunday in coach Billy Kennedy's return to the Aggies' sideline.
The 47-year-old Kennedy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last month and had taken a leave of absence from the program under doctor's orders. Associate head coach Glynn Cyprien had led the Aggies in practice and in their season-opening victory over Liberty on Wednesday.
Derick Beltran scored 19 points for Southern (1-1).
A&M raced to a 46-21 halftime lead against the Jaguars, and the contest never was in doubt in the second half. Turner tied his career for the second straight game and the Aggies (2-0) outrebounded the Jaguars 44-21.
The Aggies played their first game without star guard Khris Middleton, who tore the meniscus in his right knee in the opener and is out three to four weeks.
A&M outscored the Jaguars 15-0 on second-chance points, and 46-18 in the paint. A&M also outscored Southern 16-8 on fast-break points, and 29-10 off the bench. Forward Kourtney Roberson added 12 points for A&M, while forward David Loubeau and guard Elston Turner had 11 points apiece.
A&M, which leads its all-time series with Southern 3-1, shot 56.6 percent (30 of 53) from the floor, compared to 40.7 percent (22 of 54) for Southern. The Jaguars' Quinton Doggett had nine rebounds, while Turner and Keith Davis each grabbed eight for A&M.
The Aggies, who led throughout, held a 33-point lead with 4:17 with remaining. A&M, which along with Kansas is picked to win the Big 12, will next play Mississippi State on Thursday in Madison Square Garden in the 17th Annual 2K Sports Classic. Kennedy said he's taking things "day by day" right now and isn't certain if he'll make the trip to New York City.
A&M has won 62 consecutive nonconference home games dating to the start of the 2005-06 season.
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME NOTES
Miscellaneous
- The Aggies won their 62nd consecutive non-conference game at Reed Arena (dating back to start of 2005-06 season) and 75th straight regular-season, non-conference home game (dating back to 2003).
Team
- Texas A&M has blocked 8 shots through the first two games of the season ... the Aggies swatted four in each game, far above last season's average of 1.54 per game ... last season at this time, A&M had 3 blocks through two games.
- The Aggies out-rebounded Southern, 44 to 21 ... the 23-board margin was the largest since A&M out-rebounded Wagner by 27 on Dec. 22, 2010.
- A&M had 46 points in the paint, bringing the season total to 94 and the season average to 47 ... the Aggies posted back-to-back games with 40 points in the paint just once last season.
Individual
- Keith Davis set a career high in rebounds for the second straight game with 8 ... Davis had a best of 6 a few days ago against Liberty.
- Junior Ray Turner matched his career high of 20 points, set last game against Liberty ... it marked the first back-to-back 20-point games by an Aggie since Donald Sloan in 2010 (23 vs Nebraska, 24 vs Kansas in Big 12 Championship).
- Freshman Jordan Green (Flower Mound) made the first start of his career.
- Junior Khris Middleton missed the first game of his career on Sunday ... the preseason All-Big 12 pick had played in all 68 games since he got to A&M and had started the last 45 ... he is expected back in three to four weeks.
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME QUOTES
A&M HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening Statement
First of all, I'm just thankful to have the opportunity to coach a good group of young men and have a coaching staff and administration that's supported me this last month. It's been a hard time, the most difficult time I've ever been through. I'm not fully recovered yet, but I'm getting there.
How did it feel to be out there?
When you just try to survive every day and feel good mentally and physically, it's tough. I'm getting better. It was great to be out there tonight, though. I'm not 100 percent recovered by any means, but I'm getting better. I'm very thankful for the prayers from everyone and I'm happy to be getting to be involved again.
Did they players react well to you returning?
I'm trying to get acclimated to what's going on. I've been relying on my assistants, who have done a tremendous job. I just don't want it to be about me. I want it to be about the players and the organization.
FRESHMAN GUARD JAMAL BRANCH
On having coach Kennedy back with the team
It meant a lot. Coach is awesome. Getting us prepared for games, making us work hard for practice.
On stepping up with Khris Middleton out
It all started out in practice, Khris talked to me Jordan and the other guards and said 'This is your chance. You have to fight for this. '
Was Jordan Green nervous getting the start today?
He just went out there and played his game, did what he did best, guard and take good shots. I don't think he was nervous at all.
JUNIOR FORWARD RAY TURNER
On getting another 20 point game
I just try to do my best by running the floor, being there for my teammates, getting myself and my teammates open.
How did you feel you performed?
Good, I'm probably in better condition than I've ever been. I keep my head focused, I'm not just doing it for me, but for all my teammates and everyone.
On getting the ball out in transition
In practice, all we try to do is run the floor. They make us bigs run. And we try to put that effort into the games. We just have to bring that effort to every play and then get out and make those electrifying plays.
On having Coach Kennedy back with the team
We're glad to have him back. We've been praying for him, making sure his family is getting support in this situation.
What did Coach Kennedy get on you about?
Defense and posting up. I have to get better at demanding the ball, posting up deeper in the paint. And on defense, I have to keep my man in front of me.
On the guard play from Dash Harris and Jamal Branch
It helps a lot to have two good fast point guards in Jamal and Dash. I know when we get the ball on the rebound, we're going to run the floor, so my job is going to straight to the rim.
SOUTHERN POSTGAME QUOTES
SOUTHERN HEAD COACH ROMAN BANKS
Opening statement
The best thing tonight was to see my old boss, a very good friend of mine, Billy, back courtside. It was kind of emotional to see him at the beginning of the game. To know what he's been going through, a guy that's been with me all the way through college, helped me establish my career. When someone in your family's been hurting, I had to get over that emotion first and then concentrate on the game. For me that was more important to see him out there at the game.
I thought the second half, I wanted to play the right way, and that's to compete for 40 minutes. I told my guys I thought they did that. I think for the most part, our guys competed down the stretch, they didn't just get in and give up, and that's what I'm after for the Southern University team, to have some character.
On A&M's size
We were outmanned most of the night. We had no answer for their bodies on the inside. We were in trouble all night. They wore us out physically. And they really run the ball, that allows them to get out in open court and make some electrifying plays.
On A&M's guard play
They have some pretty good shooters, in Turner and Dash and those guys. We wanted to stay in front of those guys and limit those guys. And we did that early in the game, but then they stepped up and we had no answer.
Did your players know what it meant for you to see Coach Kennedy?
They know that Coach Kennedy has been an influence in my life. A lot of the assistants know more than the guys know. I didn't want to bring that to the guys, I wanted them to concentrate on that game. A couple of them asked me, reading about it, what was going on, but they really don't know the main story behind it.
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