Men's Basketball Takes Down Texas in Austin, 74-70

AUSTIN – The Texas A&M men's basketball team used a strong second half to take down Texas 74-70 in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at the Moody Center Saturday evening. 
 
The first half remained back-and-forth throughout as the lead traded hands seven times and neither team went ahead by more than two possessions. The Aggies (14-4, 4-1 SEC) put together an 11-2 run with 3:06 on the clock to hold a three-point lead with 17 seconds to play, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Texas (11-7, 2-3 SEC) knotted things at 29 at the break. 
 
The second half started with a steal by Marcus Hill on the Longhorns' first possession and a four-point play from Rylan Griffen, sparking a 9-2 run that put the Aggies up 38-31 and forced an early Texas timeout. Rashaun Agee got the advantage to double figures on a three-point play before the media timeout. 
 
Texas A&M never trailed in the second half, only allowing Texas to get as close as six points until the closing minutes of the game. Jacari Lane drained a 3-pointer with 3:02 on the clock to put the Aggies up 73-62, but Texas strung together eight straight points to cut it to 73-70 with seven seconds remaining. Lane was fouled on the ensuing possession and made it a four-point game. A late long-distance attempt for the Longhorns was off the mark and the Aggies held on for the victory. 
 
Griffen scored all of his team-best 17 points in the second half, going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to help the Aggies shoot 60-percent from long range (6-10) and the field (15-25) in the period. Agee notched his eighth double-double of the year, helping lead the way with 17 points and 11 boards.  
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies return to Reed Arena Wednesday to take on Mississippi State at 8 p.m. on SEC Network.   
 
POSTGAME QUOTES
Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan's postgame interview can be found here.
 
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES

• The victory marked the first for the Aggies over Texas in Austin since 2002. 
• Despite the Longhorns taking a slight advantage on the boards, 37-30, the Aggies outscored Texas in the paint 34-22. 
• Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Marcus Hill, Jacari Lane, Rubén Dominguez, Rylan Griffen and Rashaun Agee for the sixth consecutive game and sixth time this season. 

 
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
#3 Rylan Griffen 

• Led the way with 17 points for his fourth game with 15-plus points this season. 
• Was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, knocking down at least four 3's in a game for the third time this season. 

#9 Rubén Dominguez

• Added 10 points to register his 15^th game in double figures this season and fifth in SEC play. 

#12 Rashaun Agee

• Led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds to register his eighth double-double of the season. 
• Has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games and has brought down double digit rebounds nine times this season.
• His eight double-doubles are tied for the fourth most by an Aggie in a season in program history. 

 
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