News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Down by 14 points at halftime, the No. 23 Texas A&M men’s basketball used a huge second half to rally past the feisty Southern Jaguars, 71-54, on Wednesday at Reed Arena.
With the win, the Aggies improved to 4-1 while winning the 99th game of the Buzz Williams era.
After connecting on just eight field goals in the first half for a dismal 22.9 field goal percentage, the Aggies came out on fire in the second half. Quick field goals by Wade Taylor IV and Henry Coleman III drew the Aggies back within 10 in the first three minutes and then a 19-0 run over nearly eight minutes turned a six-point deficit into a nine-point lead.
Zhuric Phelps and Taylor led the second-half assault with 14 and 11 points, respectively, in the second stanza, while Jace Carter and Solomon Washington controlled the boards with eight rebounds each. Carter also matched his career high with four steals, all in the second half.
For the game, Taylor led the Aggies with 17 points, with four 3-pointers, while dishing out six assists and grabbing four rebounds. Phelps was right behind with 16 points and also tallied four steals and five rebounds. Coleman joined Taylor and Phelps in double figures with 11 points while reeling in six rebounds and making four steals. Washington led all rebounders with 11 boards, including six off the offensive glass.
The Aggies battled their way to 29 offensive rebounds while earning a 55-31 advantage in total rebounds. The Aggies’ dominance on the glass led to a 20-6 advantage in second-chance points and 40-26 bulge in points in the paint. Texas A&M limited their turnovers to 11, while forcing 18 for a 26-10 advantage in points off turnovers.