News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
The Texas A&M men’s basketball team survived a late charge by the Montana Grizzlies to record an 86-81 victory Tuesday evening inside Reed Arena.
A layup and a dunk by Jamie Vinson gave Texas A&M (3-2) its largest lead of the game, 70-51, with 7:23 remaining in the second half, but the Grizzlies (4-2) responded with a barrage of shots to claw back into the contest. Montana hit its last 12 field goals, including six 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 81-80 with nine seconds remaining. Money Williams scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the flurry.
The Aggies held off Montana’s surge by sinking 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds, including two each by Pop Isaacs, Jacari Lane, Josh Holloway and Rashaun Agee.
Griffen paced the Aggies with a season-high 17 points on 6-of-9 (66.7%) shooting from the field. Agee registered his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Rubén Dominguez scored 11 of his 12 points in the first half and added four assists in the game. Isaacs and Zach Clemence chipped in with 10 points apiece.
Texas A&M got out to a fast start in the first half, creating a 25-13 lead at the 9:10 mark prompted by shooting 11-of-13 (84.6) from the field and 3-of-6 from the 3-point line. Montana cut the lead down to 30-28, but the Aggies used a 15-3 run in the final 5:37 to take a 45-31 lead into the half. The Maroon & White shot a blistering 70.8% (17-of-24) from the field in the first half.
Despite Montana’s late run, the Aggies never trailed after the 18:38 mark of the first half. Texas A&M shot over 50% for the second time on the season, hitting 29-of-54 (53.7) from the field. The Maroon & White owned a 40-18 advantage in points in the paint.