Texas A&M men’s basketball came into Wednesday’s contest looking to shake off a four-game losing streak. They had to do so against the best team in the country. With the seniors being honored pregame and a lot of emotion in Reed Arena, the Aggies pulled off the upset over Auburn 83-72.
No. 21 A&M hosted No. 1 Auburn in the final home game of the season, and the Aggies came out of the opening tip with high energy. They took an early 7-0 lead to start the game and led for the entire game, impressively snapping a four-game losing streak.
With two games left in the regular season, a win over No. 1 Auburn A&M may put the team back in the two-seed discussion and back on track as it enters tournament time.
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Aggies’ were led by guard Zhuric Phelps, who finished the game with 19 points, while forward Andersson Garcia led A&M in rebounds, collecting 11.
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Tigers’ forward Johni Broome was injured early in the first half and was largely a non-factor, finishing with eight points. Guard Tahaad Pettiford led the way, finishing with 19 points.
With Tuesday’s win over the Tigers and a season finale trip to LSU, a team A&M has already beaten, the Aggies will have a chance to close out the regular season on a high note.
Final updates from the action:
Texas A&M vs Auburn live updates
Final: Texas A&M 83, Auburn 72
3:54 2H: Texas A&M 75, Auburn 65
At the final media timeout of the game the Aggies still hold a 10-point lead, as the crowd begins to buzz about a potential upset. A&M has led the entire game, although Auburn has continued to fight and scrap.
7:18 2H: Texas A&M 72, Auburn 61
A&M has led wire-to-wire and has looked really impressive all night long. Every player who has entered the game has scored a bucket for the Aggies, while Tigers’ playmaker Broome has only played eight minutes in the second half and has four points on the night. Can the Aggies finish?
11:57 2H: Texas A&M 62, Auburn 51
Aggies continue to hold a lead, but the Tigers come out of the break, shooting three free throws. Both teams are five for their last seven shots and are both shooting 48% or better from the field.
15:49 2H: Texas A&M 51, Auburn 39
A&M comes out with similar energy to open the second half as they did to open the game and, as a result, enter the first media timeout of the half, pushing the lead to double-digits. The Tigers will have three free throws coming out of the break, but the Aggie’s effort and intensity are certainly still there.
Halftime: Texas A&M 40, Auburn 34
3:26 1H: Texas A&M 28, Auburn 27
The Aggies’ once eight-point lead dwindled to one at the final media timeout of the half. A&M brought quality energy to the half and did a great job limiting Broome, who has zero points thus far.
7:53 1H: Texas A&M 23, Auburn 20
The Tigers keep creeping closer to the Aggies, now down just three points as Broome is back in the lineup following his brief absence. A&M will come out of the third media timeout with Phelps at the free throw line looking to extend the first-half lead.
11:59 1H: Texas A&M 19, Auburn 13
Auburn cut the deficit to six at the second media timeout, but a potentially big situation has unfolded: Tigers’ star forward Johni Broome came off the floor and went straight to the bench, writhing in pain and hanging his left shoulder. He hasn’t been in since and is having it worked on off to the side.
15:23 1H: Texas A&M 12, Auburn 4
The Aggies came out firing with an all-senior starting lineup and started the game on a 7-0 run. Reed Arena is deafening and with the group playing their last game in the building, it’s tough not to think the energy is up as a result and has made an impact early.
Texas A&M starting lineup
- G – Hayden Hefner
- G – Manny Obaseki
- G – Wade Taylor IV
- F – Andersson Garcia
- F – Henry Coleman III
Auburn’s starting lineup
- G – Tahaad Pettiford
- G – Miles Kelly
- F – Chad Baker-Mazara
- C – Johni Broome
- C – Dylan Cardwell
When does Texas A&M play Auburn?
Time: 8 p.m.
Date: March 4
Location: Reed Arena in College Station.
How to watch, listen to Texas A&M vs Auburn on Tuesday?
TV channel: ESPN
Radio: 1370 AM.
Texas A&M men’s basketball and Auburn will be broadcast and streamed on ESPN. Other streaming options for the game include ESPN and Fubo.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at [email protected]. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
