- Texas A&M shot 54.7% from the field, including 61.1% in the first half.
- Six players recorded double digits in the scoring column for the Aggies with Jordan Pope’s 18 points leading the pack.
- Texas A&M’s defense forced 23 NKU turnovers with 15 steals and the Maroon & White added nine blocked shots.
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M Aggies sailed past the Northern Kentucky Norse, 104-67, in Friday’s men’s basketball action inside Reed Arena.
Six players scored in double figures for the Maroon & White paced by Jordan Pope with 18 points. He converted on 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the field, including 3-of-5 from long range.
Mackenzie Mgbako added 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jalen Shelley tacked on 13 points and seven rebounds. Tyshawn Archie and Cade Phillips produced a dozen points apiece with Phillips adding six boards and four blocks. P.J. Haggerty topped off the tank with 10 points.
Texas A&M (2-0) sank 41-of-75 (54.7%) from the field for the game, including 12-of-29 (41.4%) from triple town. The Aggies also caused Northern Kentucky (2-1) problems with their defense. Texas A&M forced 23 turnovers with 15 steals. The Maroon & White held a 35-6 margin in points off turnovers.
The Aggies pounced on the Norse early and often to build a 52-32 advantage going into the intermission. Ol’ Sarge’s charges opened the game on an 11-0 surge over the first 2:16. After parrying away NKU attacks midway through the half, the Aggies went on a 13-0 run to take their first 20-plus point lead of the game, 50-27, at the 2:26 mark.
Texas A&M shot 61.1% (22-of-38) from the field in the opening act with Pope leading the way at a 5-of-6 clip. The Aggies played menacing defense with eight steals and five blocks.
In the second half, the Norse cut the deficit to 17 points on two occasions, but a layup and 3-pointer by Archie bookended a 12-0 surge as the Aggies built an 85-56 cushion with 6:12 remaining in the contest. Another 12-0 spurt delivered the knockout blow as A&M led 102-62 with at the 1:29 mark.
UP NEXT
The Aggies continue their season-opening homestand when ULM comes to Reed Arena Monday for a 7 p.m. tip on SEC Network+. Tickets for the game are available here.
TEAM NOTES
- Texas A&M made it back-to-back games forcing 20-plus turnovers and scoring more than 30 points off its opponent’s miscues.
- The Aggies saw five-or-more players score in double figures for the second straight game.
- The Maroon & White recorded double-digit steals (15) for the 13th time under head coach Bucky McMillan.
- Texas A&M outscored the Norse 56-22 in the paint.
- Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Jordan Pope, PJ Haggerty, Jalen Shelley, Mackenzie Mgbako and Cade Phillips (1-0).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
#0 Jordan Pope
- Scored in double figures for the second straight game, leading the Aggies with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range.
- Recorded his 22nd career double-figure scoring game with 13 points, adding seven rebounds.
- Scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting off the bench for his 54th career double-digit scoring game.
#12 Cade Phillips
- Recorded his seventh career double-figure scoring game with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, adding six rebounds and nearing his career high with four blocks.
#21 Mackenzie Mgbako
- Posted 14 points and seven rebounds for his seventh game in double figures as an Aggie.
- Set a new career high with three steals and tied his career high with four assists.
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