News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
ORLANDO, Fla. – The No. 13 Texas A&M men’s basketball team could not hold off a surging UCF squad and fell to the Knights, 64-61, at Addition Arena on college basketball’s opening night of 2024-25.
The Aggies led by as many as 11 in the second half and took a five-point lead on graduate Wade Taylor IV’s free throw with 2:13 left, but the Knights closed out the game on an 8-0 run to grab the victory. The Aggies had three good looks at tying the game on the final possession but none of the attempts would fall.
Junior transfer center Pharrel Payne posted a team-high 15 points and pulled six rebounds in his maroon and white debut. Taylor chipped in 13 points while dishing out a game-high seven assists. Junior Solomon Washington was the team’s top rebounder with nine boards, including three off the offensive glass.
The Aggies had advantage in shots and rebounds, including 16 offensive boards, but UCF had a commanding advantage in free throws as the Knights hit 22 freebies on 31 trips to the line. The Aggies connected on just 8-of-14 free throw attempts, including just two in the first half.
The loss snapped a 23-game winning streak by the Aggies in season-openers.