Tennessee defeats Texas A&M 87-82
Tennessee Shoots Down Texas A&M in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a dramatic turn of events, the Tennessee Volunteers erased a 4-point deficit at halftime to defeat the visiting Texas A&M Aggies 87-82 on Thursday night at the Food City Center.
The Vols, playing in front of their energetic home crowd, trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but refused to give up. With 7:30 left in regulation, Ja'Kobi Gillespie hit a go-ahead three-pointer, and Nate Ament followed with two free throws to put Tennessee up 87-84.
Texas A&M's Jacari Lane responded with a deep three-pointer of his own, cutting the deficit to just one point. However, Tennessee's Felix Okpara sealed the win by grabbing a crucial rebound on the Aggies' final possession, ensuring the Vols would take down their SEC rivals.
Gillespie paced the Tennessee offense with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 steals, while Ament chipped in with 23 points off the bench. The duo's combined effort helped Tennessee overcome a sluggish first half where they struggled to find its rhythm.
On the other hand, Lane led the Aggies' attack with 20 points but was held below his season average by Tennessee's stifling defense. Rashaun Agee contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds for Texas A&M, while Jacari Lane added 9 assists to complement his scoring output.
The win marked Tennessee's first home victory over a ranked opponent this season and sets the stage for a crucial SEC showdown next week against Alabama. For Texas A&M, the loss marks their fourth straight defeat in conference play.
Advanced Statistics
Tennessee's advanced statistics were indicative of its strong performance in the second half. The Vols boasted an eFG% of 41.8%, which ranked among the best in the country, and a True Shooting Percentage (TS%) of 50.9%. Meanwhile, Texas A&M struggled with their shooting efficiency, posting a 30.0% three-point clip.
In contrast to their poor shooting performance, both teams excelled on the glass, with Tennessee outrebounding the Aggies by one rebound per possession and Texas A&M holding its own in rebounds but ultimately falling short.
Conclusion
The Volunteers' dramatic comeback victory over the Aggies will be remembered as a testament to their resilience and teamwork. With this win, Tennessee takes a significant step forward in conference play, setting the stage for another intense SEC showdown next week against Alabama.