COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M junior guards D.J. Hogg and Admon Gilder scored 17 points each and the ninth-ranked Aggies used a 16-0 start to defeat Texas-Rio Grande Valley 78-60 on Thursday night.
Texas A&M (7-0) only led UTRGV (3-6) by seven points with more than 7 minutes remaining before pulling away and staying undefeated on the season. UTRGV kept the game closer than many had anticipated through 3 1/2 quarters based on the Aggies’ struggles from the free throw line. Texas A&M made 18 of 30 from the free throw line compared to 11 of 13 for the Vaqueros.
The Vaqueros cut the Aggies’ lead to 57-50 on a short jumper by Mike Hoffman with 7:30 remaining, but the Aggies quickly responded on the other end when Tyler Davisfound Tonny Trocha-Morelos wide open under the basket for a dunk and a nine-point lead.
That basket marked the first of nine consecutive points by A&M in putting away the Vaqueros down the stretch. UTRGV is coached by Lew Hill, a Texas A&M assistant from 1998-2004 under then-coach Melvin Watkins.
Texas A&M has won all of its games by double digits.
Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy
Aggie guard Admon Gilder & guard DJ Hogg
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics