Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: News

Wade Barker - THE BATTALION A&M's Acie Law IV (1) shoots as he is guarded by Oklahoma's Michael Neal (2) and David Godbold (15) during the Aggies' 70-61 victory over Oklahoma at Reed Arena on Saturday.

Texas A&M head coach Billy Gillispie had seen enough.

Following a timeout four and a half minutes in to Saturday's game against Oklahoma, Gillispie substituted back-up players for his entire starting lineup.

"I saw guys not moving quickly enough and not playing the way they're supposed to play," Gillispie said. "It has nothing to do with mood, it's my responsibility as a coach."

Two minutes and three Oklahoma lay-ups later, the starters re-entered the game with an 11-4 deficit to overcome. However, A&M guard Acie Law IV's stint only lasted about 20 seconds before he was taken out for a second time.

"He was sending us a message that if you don't play well, you're not going to play," Law said. "We didn't come out with the intensity he was looking for, so he put us on the bench."

Law took the blame for the slow start, but it was his play at the end of the game that gave the No. 6 Aggies the spark they needed to eventually win 70-61. Law scored 12 of his 19 points in the final four minutes of the game.

"We can't have starts like that to achieve what we're trying to achieve," Law said. "It all starts with me, and I have to do a better job of getting my guys ready to go. It shouldn't have come down to the point where I needed to score those kind of baskets at the end of the game."

Law's performance late in the game on Saturday was similar to the Colorado game where he scored 10 points in the final three minutes.

In the Aggies' six conference games, Law has averaged 20 points per game, including a season-high 26 points in their loss at Texas Tech. Law is the only player in the Big 12 to average more than 16 points and 4.5 assists per game.

Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel was impressed with Law's ability to draw fouls on the other team, get his teammates the ball and understand the overall game.

"Law was too much for us down the stretch," Capel said. "He's the leader of their team, there's no question about that. Because he's talented, he can do things to create opportunities for himself."

Oklahoma guard Austin Johnson defended Law most of the game, but in the end it was Law's dexterity that gave him the advantage in the match-up. Law also finished with seven assists and six rebounds.

"He can shoot with both hands, and I think that's tough to defend," Johnson said. "When he's in the lane, you're not sure if he's going with his right or his left. It's hard to know which hand to go up with and block."

Although Law's leadership helped the Aggies break a 14-game losing streak to the Sooners, he was still disappointed with himself and the team's slow start. But he already knew the solution to the problem.

"It all starts with me," Law said.

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