News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men’s basketball team used stingy defense and a late offensive surge to power past Wake Forest, 57-44, in a SEC/ACC Challenge matchup on Tuesday at Reed Arena.
The Aggies, who improved to 7-2, held the Demon Deacons scoreless over the final three and a half minutes of the game and closed with a 12-2 scoring advantage over the final 6:38 of the game. The Aggies had taken a 29-26 lead into halftime but saw their lead evaporate after consecutive 3-pointers gave Wake Forest a two-point advantage at 36-34 at the 14:15 mark. A flurry of six points from Pharrel Payne over the next three minutes boosted the Aggies to a lead they would not relinquish.
Leading the defensive charge was 2024 SEC rebounding champ Andersson Garcia, who grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds, including 12 off the defensive glass. With the game in the balance in the second half, Garcia totaled 10 boards and all four of his offensive caroms. The “Dominican Rodman” also chipped in a trio of steals and swatted a shot.
Wake Forest came into the game averaging nearly 70 points per game, but were held to more than 25 points under their average. It was the first time Texas A&M had held a power conference opponent to fewer than 50 points since Buzz Williams’ first season when the Aggies beat Ole Miss, 57-47, on Jan. 7, 2020. It was the fewest points allowed to a major conference team since the 2016-17 Aggies beat Missouri, 60-43, on Feb. 28, 2017.
Leading the way offensively for the Aggies was Wade Taylor IV, who scored 15 points while hitting four treys with four assists and two steals. Joining him in double figures were Henry Coleman III and Payne, who both chipped in 10 points. Zhuric Phelps matched his season high with four steals.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Senior Forward Andersson Garcia
On the team’s win and energy…
“When I hear my name called, you always see me sprinting to the table, and my teammates can see that too. I always try to bring my energy to the team so they can see me and match that energy. It’s hard to bring that same energy every night, but I know if I do it’s going to be a really good night for me and my team.”
Junior forward Pharrel Payne
On how the Aggies fought back in the second half…
“I think we just flipped the mentality and had to stick to what we do best. We did that, and the energy got on our side and we were able to flip it around.”
Head Coach Buzz Williams
On Andersson Garcia playing to his full potential….
“I thought he was the difference for our team and I for sure think it’s maybe the best he’s played. He played to his identity, and I think that changes our team. I think he’s tired of hearing me say what I’ve been saying. He’s a beautiful human being, and to his credit and our team’s credit in a game that was not aesthetically pleasing offensively for sure.”
On Pharrel Payne making an impact off the bench…..
“He has enormous talent and it’s going to continue to come around. He hasn’t backed up a step in what we’re asking of him on either end. Our guys have done a really good job of encouraging him and holding him accountable to what we want to be about and I do think he was a great relief for us down the stretch those last six or eight minutes.”