News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The No. 23 Texas A&M men’s basketball team used a dozen 3-pointers and a career-high scoring effort from senior Andersson Garcia to roll past the Lamar Cardinals, 97-71, on Monday at Reed Arena.
Garcia, best known of for his rebounding and defensive prowess, scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting while matching his career high with a pair of 3-pointers. He bested his old career high of 14 points against Texas A&M in 2022 when he was playing for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The “Dominican Rodman” stayed true to his roots, however, with a team-high nine rebounds.
Texas A&M took control of the game early with a barrage of 3-pointers in the first half. The Aggies connected on 10 treys on 17 attempts in the first half, which was just off the first-half school record of 11 vs. DePaul last season. For the game, the Aggies hit 12 treys with Wade Taylor IV and CJ Wilcher leading the way with three each.
The Aggies took a double-digit lead for good with just over five minutes left in the first half and the Maroon & White’s lead never went below 24 points in the second half.
For the game, Texas A&M shot 55% from the field, including 46% from the beyond the arc. The Aggies dominated the glass with a 46 to 31 advantage in rebounds and pulled down 15 offensive boards.
Leading the Aggies in scoring for a second straight game was senior transfer Zhuric Phelps, who tallied 16 points while starting his first game in Aggieland. Phelps also dished out seven assists and made three steals in 28 minutes of action. Joining Phelps in double figures were Garcia and Taylor with 15 points and Henry Coleman scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds with five offensive boards in just 16 minutes on the floor.
Also continuing the early season trend of shot blocking, the Aggies swatted six Cardinals attempts, with junior transfer Pharrel Payne leading the way with a trio of blocks.
Postgame Quotes
Senior Forward Andersson Garcia
On his career high…
“I was feeling great, and my mentality was great. It’s going to be my last year and I just play one game at a time and today was my last second home game, I have to take advantage of every second right now.”
Graduate Forward Henry Coleman III
On Buzz Williams 350th win…
“It’s a testament to coach (Williams). He’s an unbelievable coach, but he’s an even better person. Where he’s come from, being a junior college manager, going to New Orleans, coming to Texas A&M, going to Colorado State, going to Marquette and then Virginia Tech and now back here at Texas A&M. It’s full circle for him, I’m happy for him, but hopefully we can get him a lot more wins.”
Head Coach Buzz Williams
On his 350th career win…
“I am incredibly blessed and living a dream way bigger than I thought. The loyalty and continuity of the staff along with the talent and character of the players has made this program great.”