The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas A&M (benefitting Rebuild Texas Relief Fund)
Jones, Bamba pace Men's Basketball to 73-69 exhibition win against Texas A&M
10.25.2017 | Men's Basketball
All proceeds from game played at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse donated to the Rebuild Texas Relief Fund.
DONATE TO REBUILD TEXAS RELIEF FUND
HOUSTON, Texas — Sophomore guard Andrew Jones had a team-high 18 points, while freshman forward Mohamed Bamba added 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead The University of Texas Men's Basketball team to a 73-69 win against Texas A&M in a charity exhibition game inside Tudor Fieldhouse on the campus of Rice University Wednesday night. All proceeds from the game, which drew 2,048 fans, were donated to the Rebuild Texas Relief Fund.
Jones converted 5-of-11 field goals and 6-of-9 free throws while adding six rebounds in a team-high 30 minutes. Bamba connected on 7-of-11 field goals and added two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes. Junior guard Eric Davis Jr. also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points in 24 minutes off the bench.
UT's team defensive effort proved to be the difference in the game, as the Longhorns held the Aggies to just 30.3% FG shooting (20-of-66). Texas also blocked seven shots in the exhibition, all coming in the first half. All players were allowed seven personal fouls.
The Longhorns opened the game with back-to-back baskets by junior forward Dylan Osetkowski and Bamba to build a 4-0 lead at the 18:26 mark, before Texas A&M answered with a 5-0 run to grab its only lead of the night at 5-4 following a Robert Williams dunk with 17:42 left. Consecutive field goals by Bamba started a 13-4 spurt by the Longhorns, as Texas claimed a 17-9 advantage after a Davis three at the 13:43 mark.
Texas increased its lead to 14 points (30-16) following a layup from junior guard Kerwin Roach II with 5:47 remaining. The Longhorns took a 40-27 lead into the locker room at the half, hitting 62.5% from the floor (15-of-24 field goals) while holding the Aggies to a 25.0% mark (8-of-32) in the opening 20 minutes. Davis had all 10 of his points in the first half.
UT built its cushion to as much as 17 points (44-27) following a Bamba dunk at the 18:08 mark. The Longhorns held a 15-point advantage (54-39) after a pair of Osetkowski free throws with 12:56 left, before the Aggies began their comeback. A 7-0 spurt closed the deficit to 54-46 at the 11:46 mark following a pair of free throws by Tonny Trocha-Morelos.
Trailing 67-57 after a pair of free throws by UT freshman Jericho Sims with 6:21 remaining, the Aggies used a 9-0 run to trim the margin to 67-66 following a Trocha-Morelos three at the 4:29 mark. Jones then converted 4-of-5 free throws in the next two minutes to give the Longhorns a 71-66 cushion with 2:03 left.
Another Trocha-Morelos three pulled the Aggies to within 72-69 at the 1:44 mark, but Texas made a pair of defensive stops to maintain the lead. Bamba then hit 1-of-2 free throws with 11 seconds remaining for the final margin.
Texas opens the regular season at home against Northwestern State on Friday, Nov. 10. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central at the Frank Erwin Center, and the game will be televised by Longhorn Network.
