LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Tyler Herro had 21 points, Ashton Hagans scored a career-high 18 and No. 18 Kentucky overcame a 10-0 deficit before holding off Texas A&M for an 85-74 victory on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats (11-3, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) started badly on both ends with four missed shots, turnovers and defensive breakdowns the Aggies seized upon for a pair of 10-point leads. Kentucky quickly regrouped with a 19-6 run over 5:21. Hagans had a pair of steals during the spurt.
The Wildcats led 46-34 at the break before having to withstand a second-half comeback by the Aggies (6-7, 0-2), who got within 66-64 with 7:55 left. Immanuel Quickley answered with a 3-pointer and PJ Washington eventually followed with a three-point play for an 11-point cushion that held up.
Herro was 7 of 14 from the field with three from long range for his second 20-point effort in three games. Hagans made 10 of 11 free throws along with shooting 4 of 6 as the Wildcats made 15 of 27 (56 percent) after halftime to finish 52 percent overall.
Jay Jay Chandler and TJ Starks each had 18 points for Texas A&M, which shot above 50 percent for much of the game. The Aggies cooled off late and finished 48 percent.
Texas A&M Basketball Postgame Notes
#18 Kentucky 85, Texas A&M 74
Rupp Arena (Lexington, Kentucky)
ABOUT THE GAME
- Texas A&M fell to 6-7 on the season after stumbling at No. 18 Kentucky, 85-74.
- The Aggies got out to a strong start on both ends of the floor, scoring the first 10 points of the game and drawing three offensive fouls in the first 4:35 of play.
- Kentucky scored seven straight out of the first media timeout to get back in it and later used a 15-2 run to take control.
- The Aggies used a steady push in the second half to make it a six-point game with just under 10 to play.
- An 8-2 run by A&M made it a 66-64 with 7:55 on the clock, but eight straight points by the Wildcats sealed the game.
TEAM NOTES
- Texas A&M shot a season-best 47.1-percent from three and 92.3-percent from the free throw line.
- Four Aggies scored in double figures for the fourth time this season.
- A&M outscored Kentucky, 40-39, in the second half, but the 12-point first half deficit was too much to overcome.
- The Aggies used the starting lineup of Jay Jay Chandler, Wendell Mitchell, TJ Starks, Savion Flagg, and Christian Mekowulu for the first time this season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore TJ Starks reached double figures for the fourth straight game, leading the way with 18 points.
- Sophomore Jay Jay Chandler went 7-of-9 from the field as he returned to the starting lineup and double figures, helping lead the way with 18 points.
- Sophomore Savion Flagg neared a double-double with 13 points and nine boards, reaching double figures for the third straight game.
- Junior Wendell Mitchell added 10 points, all coming in the first half, and six rebounds.
- Graduate student Christian Mekowulu drew all three offensive fouls in the opening minutes, including a pair of charges.
- Billy Kennedy is now 143-105 in his eight-year tenure at Texas A&M and 354-284 in his 21 seasons as a head coach.
UP NEXT
The Aggies will remain on the road to close out the week, traveling to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 12.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics