Texas A&M (14-4, 4-1 SEC) secured another impressive road victory by defeating Texas 74-70 at the Moody Center. This win marked the first time the Aggies have beaten the Longhorns on their home court since January 23, 2002. The significance of this win is even more remarkable considering that Texas had previously defeated Alabama and the previously undefeated Vanderbilt.

Despite a tough loss to No. 24 Tennessee in a double-overtime game on Tuesday, where they fell 87-82, Texas A&M has shown that they are serious contenders in the SEC. However, they continue to be overlooked, especially when playing away from home. One of the main concerns for the team has been their ability to close out games, which was a focus during the matchup against Texas.

In the first half, both teams struggled with their shooting, combining for just five 3-pointers. The Aggies shot efficiently at 42%, but the defense allowed Texas center Matas VokietaItis to dominate inside, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The second half saw a significant shift as first-year head coach Bucky McMillan made key adjustments. Senior guard Rylan Griffen led the charge, scoring all 17 of his points in the second half, including four 3-pointers. The Aggies’ half-court offense and defensive pressure kept the Longhorns at bay throughout the second half.

The team shot 60% from the field and from the 3-point range, showcasing the effectiveness of “Bucky Ball” when the Aggies are in sync. The strategy focused on feeding star forward Rashaun Agee in the paint and passing the ball efficiently to find open shooters.

However, the team struggled from the free-throw line, finishing 12-19. Senior guard Jacari Lane missed one of his two attempts late in the game, highlighting an area that needs improvement before their next game against Mississippi State on Wednesday.

After the win, Bucky McMillan addressed the media, reflecting on the importance of the victory. He mentioned that the Aggies secured their second Quad 1 win of the year.

McMillan praised the team’s second-half performance, stating, “We had a really great second half offensively. We closed the game out. We knew it wouldn’t be easy. We have all new guys who are getting better at getting to know each other. We’re getting continuity.”

He also highlighted the performance of former Texas forward Jamie Vinson, saying, “Jamie Vinson was awesome. He keeps growing. He’s going to have a bright future here for us.”

Regarding Rylan Griffen’s 17-point second-half performance, McMillan noted, “I told them the start to the second half was important. Rylan is a Texas kid. He knows what this game means. He played great in the game.”

McMillan emphasized the team’s confidence and commitment, stating, “We are totally bought into being us. The last thing I wrote on the board pregame was ‘BE US’. We’re confident in what we’re doing and we know we’re going to have those runs.”

He also compared senior forward Rashaun Agee to an NBA legend, saying, “Rashaun is like Charles Barkley. He’s undersize but able to get things done. We have to trust Rashaun because nobody has proven they can stop him consistently.”

McMillan acknowledged the challenges of winning in Austin, stating, “I know it’s hard to win in Austin. Someone told me how many times A&M has won in here since 1987. We have a team that can do it. We have a team that’s playing for each other and fighting for each other. That’s how you win games like this.”

He expressed his love for the fanbase, saying, “I love our fanbase. I want all the Aggies in College Station, which is the best city in the state, to enjoy this win.”

Texas A&M will return to Reed Arena for a midweek showdown against Mississippi State (10-7) on Wednesday, Jan. 21.