Texas A&M Rallies to Edge Ole Miss in a Nail-Biter
In a thrilling showdown at College Station, Texas A&M staged a dramatic comeback to edge out Ole Miss 80-77, extending the Rebels' losing streak to eight games. Despite holding a 13-point lead in the second half, Ole Miss couldn't seal the deal as the Aggies surged with a 9-0 run to clinch the victory.
Rashaun Agee was the standout for Texas A&M, delivering a robust performance with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Teammates Zach Clemence and Marcus Hill each contributed 14 points, helping the Aggies snap their own four-game skid.
Ole Miss (11-15, 3-10 SEC), struggling with recent double-digit losses, showed signs of resurgence but fell short in the clutch moments. Coach Chris Beard reflected on the near-miss, noting, "We out-played the opponent in many ways and probably deserved the win.
But that's basketball. Texas A&M's offensive rebounds made the difference."
Indeed, the Aggies dominated the offensive glass with a 16-4 advantage, translating into an 18-4 edge in second-chance points. Ole Miss had late opportunities to turn the tide, with Travis Perry and Koren Johnson both missing crucial shots in the final minute.
"Fortune just didn't favor us," Beard remarked. "Johnson had an open look to win it, but the ball just didn't drop."
For Texas A&M (18-8, 8-5), Ruben Dominguez added 13 points and five assists, while AJ Storr poured in 16 of his 21 points in the second half. Malik Dia, despite leaving with an ankle injury, impressed with 20 points on an efficient 10 of 14 shooting. Ilias Kamardine and Patton Pinkins chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Ole Miss took control with a 63-50 lead after a highlight dunk from Dia, but Texas A&M's relentless 19-6 run, capped by Dominguez's clutch shooting, turned the tide. Agee's decisive layup gave the Aggies their first lead since early in the game.
The Rebels showcased their speed with a season-high 23 fast break points and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 20 points from 13 Aggie miscues. However, Texas A&M's 61 percent shooting in the second half proved too much to overcome.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will host No. 12 Florida on Saturday, while Texas A&M travels to face Oklahoma. The Rebels will aim to regroup and break their losing streak, while the Aggies hope to build on this momentum.