COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Junior guard Admon Gilder scored 15 points and Texas A&M dominated South Carolina from the start, winning 83-60 on Saturday in Reed Arena.
The Aggies (15-8, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) led 49-27 at half, in shooting 63 percent (17 of 27) from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Gamecocks (13-10, 4-6) shot 21.1 percent (8 of 38) in the same span, as A&M blasted to the 22-point lead. A&M finished 29 of 55 from the field, good for 53 percent.
Justin Minaya scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Gamecocks.
A&M sophomore forward Robert Williams collected five blocks, to go with 11 points, and the Aggies’ 11 total blocks were one shy of the team record of 12 set in 2013 against Mississippi State. A&M dominated South Carolina in points in the paint (40 to 18) and on the fast break (17-4).
Texas A&M Basketball Postgame Notes
Texas A&M 83, South Carolina 60 Feb. 3, 2018
Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
RECORDS / SERIES NOTES
- Texas A&M extended its home winnings streak to four games on Saturday at Reed Arena with an 83-60 victory over South Carolina … the Aggies’ season ledger now stands at 15-8 with a 4-6 mark in SEC play.
- The all-time series between the schools now stands at 4-3 in favor of the Aggies.
TEAM NOTES
- Texas A&M tied a season-high with 11 blocks, falling one short of tying the program record of 12 swats set against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 11, 2013.
- The Aggies dominated in transition by scoring 17 fast-break points while holding the Gamecocks to four.
- A&M controlled inside on both ends throughout the game, putting up 40 points in the paint while allowing South Carolina just 18.
- The Maroon & White offense spread the ball with 11 different Aggies making it into the scoring column, including four in double-figure points … the team logged assists on 20-of-26 made field goals.
- The 23-point margin of victory was the Aggies’ largest in SEC play since beating LSU, 90-60, Feb. 11, 2017.
- Texas A&M took a 49-27 lead into the intermission after scoring its most points in a half against a SEC opponent this season.
- Saturday was Legacy Day at Reed Arena as the Aggie Basketball program welcomed back 48 former lettermen who were honored on the court halftime … Additionally, the Aggies featured throwback uniforms against the Gamecocks, honoring the 1969 Aggie squad which captured the Southwest Conference Championship.
- A&M used the starting lineup combination of TJ Starks, Admon Gilder, DJ Hogg, Robert Williams and Tyler Davis for the third time this season (2-1).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore Robert Williams set a season high with five blocked shots while also contributing nine rebounds and 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting … the Oil City, La., native is shooting 75.0 percent from the floor (39-of-52) and averaging 14.5 points over his last six games.
- Junior guard Admon Gilder dropped a team-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting … the Dallas native tied a season-high with three steals and added three assists in the win.
- Junior center Tyler Davis reached double figures in scoring for the sixth straight game, finishing with 12 points.
- Graduate transfer Duane Wilson paced the Aggies in assists with six and contributed a pair of steals in 18 minutes off the bench.
- Aggie head coach Billy Kennedy improved to 130-93 during his seven-year tenure at Texas A&M and 341-272 in 20 seasons as a head coach.
UP NEXT
- Texas A&M is back on the road next week for a mid-week clash with No. 11 Auburn that will be televised by ESPN2 … the Aggies and Tigers will square off inside Auburn Arena on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics