Texas A&M will strive to build on a gritty win when it hosts Manhattan on Friday in College Station, Texas.
The Aggies head back to the court after an 86-81 home win over Montana on Tuesday that snapped a two-game losing streak. Texas A&M got 17 points from Rylan Griffen and 12 from Ruben Dominguez and needed them all to withstand a late Montana push that whittled a 19-point cushion to one in the final seconds.
Texas A&M converted seven of eight free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.
“We have all the game pressure in the world to make free throws,” Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said. “You felt it. You look up, and the game’s under control. Then you blink. Now, we’ve got to make free throws to close the game out. I’m glad our guys were not too cool for school to go ahead and close it out right there.”
The Aggies shot 53.7% from the floor and racked up 22 assists on 29 field goals as Zach Clemence, Rashaun Agee and Pop Isaacs scored 10 points apiece. Agee also grabbed 10 rebounds.
“We were just playing together,” Agee said. “The ball is going to find the right man every time, and we got great shots. We just now have got to throw it over in the second half. It’s a lesson. We continue to learn. Every game we learn.”
The Aggies have played four of their first five games at home and will follow up Friday’s outing with another home contest against Mississippi Valley State.
Manhattan rolls into the Brazos Valley after winning two of three at the Rainbow Classic last week in Honolulu. The Jaspers opened with a 79-75 win over Utah Tech, lost to host Hawaii 86-56 in the semis and then beat Mississippi Valley State 80-73 on Saturday in the consolation game.
Devin Dinkins had 22 points to lead Manhattan in Saturday’s win, with Fraser Roxburgh adding 19, Jaden Winston scoring 14 and Marko Ljubicic hitting for 11 while converting all four of his shots from the floor.
The Jaspers trailed late before Winston canned a jumper with less than three minutes to play and Manhattan was able to hold on.
“I am very proud of our group,” said Manhattan coach John Gallagher. “We had many contributions during trying times throughout the week. Not many teams come to Hawaii and win. We will build on these two wins as we prepare for Texas A&M and as we approach MAAC play.”
