Texas A&M
7-1
Sam Houston State
3-6
Aggies Roll Past Sam Houston State, 64-37
Dec 07, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Ray Turner added 10 rebounds for the Aggies (7-1), who have won 66 straight non-conference home games.
Demarcus Gatlin paced the Bearkats with 13 points, despite going 5 of 20 from the field. Sam Houston State finished 15 of 60 (25 percent) from the floor, the fifth straight opponent Texas A&M has held below 35 percent shooting.
The Aggies also overpowered SHSU (3-6) inside, compiling a 50-31 rebounding advantage and outscoring the Bearkats 34-16 in the paint.
SHSU had trouble slowing Texas A&M's up-tempo offense under first-year coach Billy Kennedy, as the Aggies outscored the Bearkats 11-4 on the fast break.
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME QUOTES
Team
- A&M has held four straight opponents under 50 points per game for the first time since the start of the 1959-60 season.
- The 37 points by Sam Houston State was the fewest by an A&M opponent since 2007 (Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 37, 12/16/07).
- Over the last 4 games, the Aggies have held teams to 41.5 points per game, 28.5 percent from the floor (63 for 221) and 16.7 percent from 3-point range (11 for 66)
- Opponents are averaging 16.7 points in the first half this year at Reed Arena (6 games, SHSU 17 tonight).
- Texas A&M now leads the all-time series with Sam Houston, 66-17, and has won 17 in a row.
- A&M has won 66 straight non-conference games at Reed Arena (dating back to start of the 2005-06 season) and 79 consecutive regular-season non-conference home games (dating back to 2003) ... the Aggies are 98-9 all-time at Reed in non-conference play.
- A&M has scored 56 percent of their points in the paint this year (288 of 513).
- The Aggies' 8 blocks tonight were the most since 2009 (9 vs Kansas State, 2/7/09).
- SHSU's 25.0 shooting percentage was the lowest by an A&M opponent since 2007 (24.1 percent by Detroit, 12/19/07).
Individual
- Ray Turner posted his first career double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) ... Turner was 7-of-9 from the floor and reached double figures in rebounds for the second time in his career ... Turner's 10 rebounds were a season high and were two shy of his career best.
- Keith Davis blocked a career-high 5 shots ... it was the most blocks by an Aggie since Chinemelu Elonu swatted 5 against Kansas State in 2009 (2/7/09) ... Davis' 7 rebounds were one shy of his season (and career) high.
POSTGAME QUOTES
A&M HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening statement
I thought our guys really came out with good energy, that was good to see. Again I think we got better in a lot of areas. We made some shots from the perimeter and got some support from our bench. Not taking anything from Sam Houston, I know they're beaten up a little and obviously we are too. But I liked what I saw tonight.
Were you concerned when Dash went down?
I was concerned, no question. I'm glad he was able to play the minutes he was able to play. We're a little beat up also. At this time of the year, that happens. Hopefully we can get everyone healthy soon.
On Keith Davis' play
Keith has really bought into the defensive end for us. He has bought into his role probably as good as anyone on our team. We kept getting beaten off the dribble, they were small and driving the ball, but Keith rotated and blocked shots and was good around the basket.
On Texas A&M being a defensive team
Yeah and that's what we want to base our team on. Like I said before, it's been the history of the program the last 6 or 8 years, and the history of the tenure of the head coach. I think we have a long ways to go, but when you're holding people down regardless of the quality of the opponent, it's good to see.
On Ray Turner sharing the ball
Yeah, I really liked our unselfishness tonight, especially Ray. He's scoring the ball at high clip and high percentage, so you could get mad at him for taking a bad shot every once in a while. But we made some shots and really shared the ball.
On defending against teams with smaller lineups
Keith I thought was really good. I thought in this game we ended up switching the ball screens the last ten minutes, and we stayed in front. But it's good for our big guys to go out on the floor and guard on the perimeter. We've had to do it the last few games. When Khris comes back, we can go small and play Khris at the four, and that opens up a lot of options for us.
Do the injuries allow for some other guys to get good minutes in? Is it maybe a blessing in disguise?
We definitely choose to look at it that way. Guys are getting minutes that they wouldn't get when those other guys are healthy. I thought Daniel Alexander got to play some minutes and had his best game. Everyone was bumped up a spot with Kourtney not being able to play.
On Khris Middleton's return
I think he'll be back on Saturday. He only practiced full two days this week. We looking forward to getting him back on the court.
On DeAndre Jordan visiting
It's good to see DeAndre, he's been good for us. I reached out to a lot of former players when I got here, and they're welcome here any time. It's good to see former players come back here.
JUNIOR F RAY TURNER
On playing against smaller teams, are you ready to play against bigger teams?
It's exciting. To play smaller teams it's kind of frustrating because you have to guard the guards well. When it comes to playing a bigger team, it kind of levels out and it'll make everything better for everyone.
How much room is there for this team to get better?
We have a ways to go. We have to keep working in practice and working on the little things. And the more we run the floor, it'll be better for our offense.
Was this the best game offensively for the team?
I definitely think we started off the game pretty well. We came out and hit them in the mouth. That's the thing we have to do every game and keep the team in that. When we get in a drought, we can't let the drought take us down, have to take the drought and keep playing.
What did you think when Dash went down?
I was nervous because that's our starting point guard, he's a senior. We can't afford an injury, especially for him, it's his last year and we need him.
What was the key for your double-double tonight?
I actually was shooting for it. I needed one of these. First double-double at Texas A&M. One thing I told myself that I have to get a double-double. I thought I had to show people that I have improved and have been working in the off-season. And the only way to do that is on the court.
SOPHOMORE C KEITH DAVIS
How much did you guys need a 20-point win?
A lot. We practice so hard on defense and coach always tries to make us pick up the offensive end. For us to have a 20-point win without Khris and Kourtney, that is big.
What has helped you improve to the point you are today?
Practicing hard every day against Ray and Loubeau, they push me, and coaches getting on me every single day about everything. I'm just trying to get out and bring the intensity like I should.
Has the game slowed down a bit for you?
Yes, especially from lasts year. Last year was really fast. This year it's slower and everything is much better. Hopefully I keep improving and keep playing like I can play.
Did you focus on being a defender coming into this year?
Definitely. I know on offense that's not me really. My role is a defensive guy, so everyday I practice to be the best defensive player I can be, and especially against Ray because he's a beast right now.
Are you excited to be getting Khris Middleton back?
We can't wait to get him back. It'll open it up for Loubeau, because he's having struggles scoring. It'll open it up for, and having him back will help us big time.
SHSU HEAD COACH JASON HOOTEN
Opening statement
They got off to a fast start, which they haven't done all year long. With the shortness of our depth, I just knew that we had to keep the game close whether I had to use all 5 timeouts. The way we are depth-wise, you can't get in a hole against a good team like that.
On trying to keep up with A&M's size with players missing from the squad
What you do, you get outrebounded 50 to 31 and give up 47 percent from the field. We were 3-5 coming into this game and we're the number one defensive team in our league. Not much you can do. It's not like them where Roberson can't play tonight and you have 4 other guys 6'8'' or 6'9'' or bigger. I have a 7-foot freshman. We're trying to keep those guys out of foul trouble. The thing that hurts us the most is we can't run much with one post man.
On DeMarcus Gatlin's play
One thing about DeMarcus I won't ever question is that he has a lot of heart and has a high motor, that's why we signed him. And I love him, he's one of the best kids I've been around. What people need to realize is he's a sophomore and played junior college basketball last year. To be playing at this level, it's really special.
What positive things can you take away from this game?
We were really bad tonight. You always have to find some silver linings. We turned the ball over 8 times against a good defensive team, I was pleased with that. Besides that and the performance the DeMarcus played, and Darius played very well, those are some positive things those guys can take away from this game. I think when you take a whipping like you did tonight, you can always look at it as good or bad. First of all, we're not used to being 3-6 this part of the season, and our schedule is different. It's a different team, and we're trying to get through this. Even with a tough loss like tonight, our guys have really stuck together.
