MBB: FLORIDA DOMINATED A&M FOR THE NO. 1 STANDINGS IN THE SEC
Photo Credits: Andy Baerenwald
Youngchan Kang
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - In a packed-out Reed Arena along with the “Blackout” tradition and red, blue and white lights, Texas A&M men’s basketball faced off against No. 17 Florida for the No. 1 seed in the Southeastern Conference. Despite the season-high number of students attending, the Gators stomped the Aggies, 86-67.
A slugfest to start off for the Aggie trails 8-2 against the Gators. An early foul by senior Guard Rylan Griffen sent sophomore G Boogie Fland to go 1 for 2 on the charity strip. Graduate G Marcus Hill drove into the paint scored the basketball plus a foul. Hill missed the free throw and the Gators went on a 7-0 run, forcing the Aggies to use a quick timeout.
The dry scoring from the Aggies continued to grow as they struggled to score a basket, meanwhile junior G Urban Klavzar hit a three to extend the Gators lead to 11-2.
After multiple misses and fighting for rebounds, sophomore forward Jamie Vinson got the Aggies scoring again, going 1 for 2 on the free throw line. Graduate F Zach Clemence got a second chance basket and 5th year G Ali Dibba hit the Aggies first three of the game. However, the Gators continue to prove to be one of the dangerous teams as they continue to match the scoring outcome.
The Aggies started to find some spark on offence with a quick layup from Sophomore G Ruben Dominguez. Graduate F Rashaun Agee and Griffen knocked down key free throws to get the Aggies back into the game.
Klaver knocked down a three to beat the shot clock to extend the Gators lead. But a ferocious dunk by Agee got the 12th Man hyped up. Despite the effort at the end by the Aggies, the Gators lead at the end of the first half, 30-19.
The Gators continued their hot scoring in the second half, going on a 24-4 run. The Aggies cold streak continued in the second half with constant misses.
Photo Credits: Andy Baerenwald
Junior G Pop Isaacs knocked down the Aggies second three, then drew a foul to knock down two free throws. Klavzar responded with two free throws of his own for the Gators. Isaacs and Hill knocked down back-to-back threes to gain some momentum for the Aggies.
Clemence scored the next 5 points for the Aggies, cutting the lead to 20. But junior F Thomas Haugh drew a quick foul in the paint, knocking down only 1 free throw. Isaacs and Griffen continue to fight for the Aggies, with 3 of their own.
The Gators responded back with baskets from Fland, sophomore G Isaiah Brown and Haugh. Haugh then hit a corner three and two free throws to extend the Gators lead to 26, ending any chance of an Aggie comeback.
The Gators dominated the Aggies from start to finish, on a final score of 86-67. Texas A&M men’s basketball will return to Reed Arena on Wednesday, February 11 at 8:00 P.M.
