Texas A&M Rolls Past Northwestern State in Season Opener

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men's basketball team rolled past Northwestern State, 98-68, in its season opener Monday night at Reed Arena. The victory marked the first for head coach Bucky McMillan with the Aggies and the 100^th of his college coaching career.  
 
The Aggies (1-0) got out to a hot start and never trailed in the game. They knocked down three straight baskets to extend their lead to double figures nearing the midway point in the half. The Maroon & White continued to push offensively and eventually led by as much as 25, heading into the halftime break with a 56-35 advantage. 
 
Texas A&M continued to attack in the second half, using another 13-point run to jump out to its largest lead of the night, an 86-53 cushion at the 7:34 mark. They never let the Demons (0-1) get closer than 27 points the rest of the way to cruise to the victory. 
 
Ruben Dominguez led five players in double figures with 18 points, knocking down four threes in the victory. Josh Holloway put up 13 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field, and added four assists. Federiko Federiko led the way with eight rebounds as the Aggies took the advantage on the glass, 44-32. 
 
The Maroon & White return to action Thursday, Nov. 6, taking on Texas Southern at Reed Arena at 7 p.m.
 
TEAM GAME NOTES

• The 98 points marked the most for the Aggies in a season opener since the 2018-19 season when they opened with a 98-83 victory over Savannah State.
• Texas A&M had 12 different players in the scoring column, including five players reaching double digits.
• The Aggies had 10 players register assists, led by Rylan Griffen and Josh Holloway with four apiece.
• The Maroon & White owned a 53-30 edge in bench points and 48-24 advantage in points in the paint.
• Texas A&M had a 44-32 edge in total rebounds and a 17-10 advantage on the offensive glass led to an 18-9 margin in second-chance points.
• The Aggies improved to 13-1 in season openers since joining the SEC 2012. They also remained perfect in home openers during that span at 14-0.

 
 
INDIVIDUAL GAME NOTES
Head Coach Bucky McMillan

• Picked up his 100^th career win, improving to 100-52, including 1-0 at Texas A&M.

 
#0 Marcus Hill

• Led the Aggies with four steals, one shy of his career high.

 
#1 Josh Holloway

• Scored 13 points on 5-of-6 (83.3%) shooting from the field. It marked his 14^th career game scoring 10-plus points.
• Led the Aggies with four assists.

 
#3 Rylan Griffen

• Scored 13 points for his 15^th career game scoring 10-plus points.
• Led the Aggies with four assists and registered a career high with three steals.

 
#5 Jacari Lane

• Scored 12 points, including 3-of-6 (50.0%) shooting from 3-point range.

 
#9 Ruben Dominguez

• Paced the Aggies with 18 points, on 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the field, including 4-of-7 (57.1%) from 3-point range in 19 minutes.

 
#12 Rashaun Agee

• Scored 12 points on 6-of-8 (75.0%) shooting from the field.

 
#33 Federiko Federiko

• Led the Aggies with eight rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

 
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