Zhuric Phelps scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the host Texas A&M Aggies to an 87-55 win over East Texas A&M on Friday night in College Station, Texas.
The 13th-ranked Aggies (1-1) rebounded four days after suffering an upset loss to UCF in their season opener on Monday. Texas A&M never trailed and led by as many as 35 points in the second half.
The Lions (0-3) dropped their third in a row, including two losses to teams from Power 5 conferences. Scooter Williams Jr. led East Texas A&M with 12 points, three assists and two rebounds.
But Williams committed six of the Lions’ 18 turnovers, which led to 25 points for the Aggies. The sloppy play allowed Texas A&M to take control of the game quickly and open a 31-9 lead with 8:46 left in the first half.
Texas A&M, which shot only 14 free throws in its loss to UCF, did a better job of attacking the basket from the start of its home opener. The Aggies shot 14 of 24, however, from the free-throw line.
Phelps, who transferred from SMU, shined in his first home game for Texas A&M and was one of five Aggies who scored in double figures.
Hayden Hefner finished with 13 points and Wade Taylor IV finished with 10 points and six assists.
Manny Obaseki and Henry Coleman III each scored 14 points off the bench as 12 Aggies played in the game and their reserves outscored East Texas A&M’s bench 50-27. Coleman and Andersson Garcia each had eight rebounds as the Aggies outrebounded the Lions 41-24 and outscored them 54-26 in the paint.
East Texas A&M will host Southern University on Wednesday before facing two more Power 5 conference opponents on the road, including No. 3 UConn. The Aggies will next host Lamar on Monday before taking on Ohio State on Nov. 15 at home.
–Field Level Media
