Gig Em Gazette
Fansided

Texas A&M Basketball: Aggies Can’t Close Out Florida on the Road

By Matthew Bartlett

Feb 11, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Billy Kennedy calls a play against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Billy Kennedy calls a play against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After leading the Florida Gators midway through the second half, the Texas A&M basketball team wasn’t able to close things out on the road, falling in Gainesville 71-62.

This game was far more important than a must win for this young team, and early on it looked like more of the same. Sloppy play on offense and great ball movement by the Gators saw Texas A&M face a double digit deficit midway through the first half.

The Aggies committed 12 first half turnovers. DJ Hogg had zero first half points. But Texas A&M went into the break trailing by just two points, 27-29. The maroon and white managed to right the ship through tremendous defense and a bad shooting day from the Gators.

Admon Gilder was the spark plug that pulled the team back from an 11 point deficit. He finished the game with 5 steals, 12 points, and 3 rebounds.

More from Gig Em Gazette

As good as Gilder was on Saturday, it was Robert Williams that carried this team. Williams is getting better and better as the season goes on, adding a mid range shot to his arsenal and grabbing three steals. He posted his second double-double in as many games. His final stat line read 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals.

Aggies Come Unwound

Texas A&M took the lead early in the second half. From that point onward it looked like it would be Williams and the Aggies who would be the aggressors. Right up to the 10 minute mark. A few sloppy A&M possession and some untimely founds saw the Gators regain the lead. They would extend it to 48-42 on a 7-0 run forcing coach Billy Kennedy to take a timeout.

Down by nine points under seven minutes, this team had to do something to keep their bleak tournament chances alive. They just couldn’t do it.

When the rubber hits the road, this team just wasn’t able to respond to the pressure. The Aggies had too many missed dunks. Too many defensive lapses. This Aggie team is just a few tweaks away from being competitive. They just aren’t there yet, and they’re running out of time.

What Next?

Texas A&M has only lost by double digits twice this season. One loss was a 42 point shellacking at the hands of Kentucky at Rupp Arena. The other, a surprising 14 point defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt at Reed Arena.

Next: A Closer Look at Freshman Sensation Robert Williams

The Aggies will hit the road for a Thursday game against the Commodores, hoping to avenge that loss. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 PM CST. The game will air on ESPN2.

***Stats from ESPN***