Texas A&M
4-1
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
1-3
Aggies Get Past the Islanders, 56-43
Nov 26, 2011 | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Elston Turner scored 14 points and No. 25 Texas A&M used its stifling defense to beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 56-43 on Saturday.
Ray Turner had 13 and eight rebounds for the Aggies (4-1), who played for the first time in eight days and held the Islanders to 27.8 percent shooting. It was the lowest shooting percentage for an Aggies opponent since the first round of the 2008 Big 12 tournament, when Iowa State finished at 27.4 percent.
Hameed Ali, Johnathan Jordan and Jake Kocher made consecutive 3-pointers to help Texas A&M-Corpus Christi close to 45-39 with 7:45 left, but Turner scored on an offensive rebound on Texas A&M's ensuing possession and the Aggies outscored the Islanders 11-4 the rest of the way.
Myron Dempsey had 14 points for the Islanders (1-3).
Texas A&M went 5 for 8 from 3-point range in the first half and led 30-16 at the break. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi missed all 10 of its 3-point attempts in the first half, and finished 3 of 17 from long range.
Turner tied a career high with four 3-pointers, and freshman Jordan Green had 10 points and six assists. The Aggies also won their 63rd consecutive nonconference home game.
Texas A&M was once again without guard Khris Middelton, who is recovering from a knee injury and is expected back in about two weeks. Fill-in Green also had four rebounds.
The Aggies had 12 turnovers in the first half and six in the second half, continuing a frenetic pace under first-year coach Billy Kennedy. They also outscored the Islanders 10-0 on the fast break.
The Islanders, who beat Utah State 58-55 on Tuesday in Corpus Christi, are led by first-year coach Willis Wilson. His team outrebounded the larger Aggies 39-37.
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME NOTES
Team
- Texas A&M won its 63rd consecutive non-conference home game (dating back to 2005) and its 76th consecutive regular-season, non-conference game (dating back to 2003).
- The Aggies held the Islanders to 27.8 percent shooting from the floor, the lowest by an A&M opponent since Iowa State in the 2008 Big 12 Tournament (27.4 percent).
- A&M matched a season high by draining 6 three-pointers on the day.
- The Aggies lead the series between the sister schools, 2-1.
Individual
- Jordan Green's 6 assists were a season (and career) high ... the total also tied a team season high.
- Elston Turner tied a career high with four 3-pointers (did it twice at Washington).
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening statement
Obviously we're glad we got the win. On the positive side, I thought when they made a run some guys made some tough plays. Ray Turner diving on that loose ball was a big play for us. But for whatever reason we're having a hard time being consistent with our effort and with our efficiency and decision-making. Our guard play has to get better with their decisions and we have to help them get better. David's been in foul trouble almost every game. And as a senior, we have to get more consistent play out of him to keep on the floor more.
On getting assists, but also turnovers
Again, we have to be able to slow down at times. Our guards get to going and pushing the ball and we're struggling slowing down. That takes time, and from the point guard spot, we can rain it in a little of the time. We just have to make better decisions.
On Jordan Green's play
He had a tremendous game. Defensively, he's guarding their best player. Offensively, he's driving the ball, which we wanted to do instead of settling for threes. He's been a big surprise and especially while Khris has been out.
Was this the team you expected A&M-CC to come in and be?
I thought they had a good win against Utah St. the other night and I thought they would come in and play well. They're very well coached. We had a hard time when they were penetrating and kicking and getting some threes. We have to get better at guarding threes.
On A&M-CC's run in the second half
I went to a lineup where I tried to play a bigger lineup. We were up 19 and tried to play Daniel Alexander at the three. Obviously, it was a poor decision to make. We were bigger and had a problem guarding the dribble.
Is this a game you can really teach from?
A win is a win. I told our guys, they're pretty down, and they've been humbled. But hopefully they'll buy into the fact that we have to take care of the ball.
JUNIOR GUARD ELSTON TURNER
On turning over the ball
It's pretty much just us trying to get used to play at the speed we want to play. Often times when we push it we try to make the home run play. We see a big man running to the basket, and we try to throw an alley-oop or try to make something happen too fast. I think we have to learn how to go but be steady with it and overall be more composed as a team.
What did A&M-CC do effectively on offense
They have some shooters that we couldn't leave open. The guy I was guarding, I was staying with him the whole time. Tonight we just stayed closer to our men to prevent them from shooting the three shot. Second half, they started penetrating and kicking to where we had to help, so I think that's where
On Jordan Green's play in Khris Middleton's absence
He knows his role and that's what really helps him, especially as a freshman. Since he first got here, he's matured so much more. He's a hustle guy; he's going to get steals and do what it takes to win. When you have someone like that, the whole team feeds off of it. Sometimes when we're not into it enough, we see him dive on the floor for a loose ball and it fires everyone up.
JUNIOR FORWARD RAY TURNER
Was this game a little scary?
Very. We didn't come out in the first half like we should have. We played defense okay, but should've played offense better. We've got to get better, but we can come back in practice and keep working hard.
Did the long break without playing affect you guys today?
I can say no, because basically they came in here ready. They kept fighting, ignored that they were down. And we let ourselves down by not staying strong mentally and physically. We basically let them punch us first.
On taking the role as the go-to scorer when the team needs it
When it comes to that, I feel like I should be in there, I wasn't doing well in the first half and I had to step it up in the second half. Texas A&M-CC started getting in that range so I had to step up as a leader and take that role.
TEXAS A&M-CC HEAD COACH WILLIS WILSON
Opening statement
Our improvement has been steady. One of the things I told our guys, sometimes you lose the ball game and don't see the improvement because of what losing does to your psyche. We're making progress, and it's been slow and steady. The thing we have to do is play with confidence. I think we really came out in the first period and were lethargic and had a wait and see attitude. Second half, we ratcheted it up and got our offense going.
On getting a string of three pointers in the second half
The difference there was our execution was much better. Our shots were coming on the second side, our shooters were making it harder
On Ray Turner taking over the game
Sometimes that's what players do at this level. Those kids play with confidence, they think they're supposed to win. They find themselves in competitive situations and rise to the occasion.
On the effort A&M-CC gave on rebounds and forcing turnovers
Rebounds, turnovers and there's a few other areas. It's part of just playing hard and improving. I thought our screening was good. Screening is huge for our team. We're not the time of team that can take people on eon one and score. I thought guys did a good job of playing for their teammates and playing hard to get their teammate good shots. To see us come out on the upside, plus two in rebounds, that's pretty important.
Were you proud of your team to fight back to a single digit lead for A&M?
One of the things we talk about every time out is that it's about us. It's not about what our opponents are doing. Let's control the things we can control. I think in that flurry the execution and tempo changed because of our focus and aggression. It changed for the positive.
On getting the ball to Myron Dempsey in the second half
When we play well, we've had an inside presence. The times we've been good on the basketball floor, we've been able to throw it in the Myron. He was a little tentative, I was a little disappointed the way he got started and settled.
