Aggies Extend Stay in Nashville With Victory Against Ole Miss
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The No. 7 seed Texas A&M Aggies held off a resilient comeback from the No. 10 seed Ole Miss Rebels, securing a hard-fought 80-71 victory in the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena.
Wade Taylor IV spearheaded the Aggies' offensive charge with an impressive 20-point performance, while Tyrece “Boots” Radford contributed 18 points. Notably, five Aggies reached double figures, showcasing the team's balanced scoring effort.
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Solomon Washington's 13 points, Manny Obaseki's 12 points, and Andersson Garcia's double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds were instrumental in securing the win and ensuring the Aggies' spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Despite facing adversity, including a tighter contest than their previous encounter with Ole Miss, the Aggies displayed resilience and determination throughout the game.
While Ole Miss mounted a late-game surge, fueled by Jaemyn Brakefield's impressive 23-point performance, the Aggies maintained their composure. Solomon Washington's key plays, including a crucial 3-pointer and a momentum-shifting dunk, helped extend the Aggies' lead to 54-45 midway through the second half.
Although Ole Miss managed to narrow the gap to 61-58 with a 10-0 run, the Aggies responded decisively. Despite the loss of Washington due to fouling out late in the game, Tyrece Radford's clutch free throws halted Ole Miss' momentum and secured a 63-58 lead with 1:48 remaining.
From there, the Aggies capitalized on their free throws and executed effectively down the stretch to close out the victory and advance in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Aggies advance to face a tough opponent in the No. 2 seed Kentucky Wildcats in Friday’s quarterfinals at 6 p.m. CT.
