Spring Break
A&M drops third consecutive game, loses to Texas 67-58
By: Patrick Hayslip
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Sports
Texas A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon was happy with the Aggies' effort in a 67-58 loss at No. 14 Texas on Saturday.
"Our defense was good enough, our rebounding wasn't quite good enough, our execution was great," Turgeon said. "I can live with that effort."
Behind Damion James' 28 points and Gary Johnson's 15, the Longhorns turned a two-point halftime lead into a nine-point victory.
Texas made their first three baskets of the game including a 3-pointer by James, but junior forward Chinemelu Elonu was there for the Aggies, scoring his first two shots.
"I knew when James hit his first couple that gave them an extra scorer," Turgeon said.
James helped the Longhorn overcome the shooting of leading scorer A.J. Abrams. The Aggies held Abrams to 30 percent from the field and nine points.
"Your whole game plan is to stop that kid," Turgeon said about Abrams. "I was proud of our effort there. We did a good job on Abrams. We made him work, and we were really aware of him."
Abrams said he was comfortable with his team compensating for him when defenses get tight.
"I don't have a problem with people taking me out there because my teammates will step up and help us win," said Abrams. "I know that I'm not going to get many shots with the way teams are defending, so I just have to knock them down when I can."
The Aggies hung with the Longhorns in the first half, shooting 54.5 percent from the field while Texas shot 45.2 percent.
A&M finished the half with a jumper by junior guard Donald Sloan and a block by Elonu to go to the locker room trailing 30-28.
Elonu shot 5-6 from the field, with 11 points in the first half along with Donald Sloan shooting perfect from the floor, scoring 7 of his total 17 points in the game.
James helped Texas with 11 points in the first half along with Johnson's 8 points.
At the start of the second half, Josh Carter hit a jump shot to tie the game at 30, but Texas went on a 5-0 run to bring to lead to 35-30.
"Our defense was good enough, our rebounding wasn't quite good enough, our execution was great," Turgeon said. "I can live with that effort."
Behind Damion James' 28 points and Gary Johnson's 15, the Longhorns turned a two-point halftime lead into a nine-point victory.
Texas made their first three baskets of the game including a 3-pointer by James, but junior forward Chinemelu Elonu was there for the Aggies, scoring his first two shots.
"I knew when James hit his first couple that gave them an extra scorer," Turgeon said.
James helped the Longhorn overcome the shooting of leading scorer A.J. Abrams. The Aggies held Abrams to 30 percent from the field and nine points.
"Your whole game plan is to stop that kid," Turgeon said about Abrams. "I was proud of our effort there. We did a good job on Abrams. We made him work, and we were really aware of him."
Abrams said he was comfortable with his team compensating for him when defenses get tight.
"I don't have a problem with people taking me out there because my teammates will step up and help us win," said Abrams. "I know that I'm not going to get many shots with the way teams are defending, so I just have to knock them down when I can."
The Aggies hung with the Longhorns in the first half, shooting 54.5 percent from the field while Texas shot 45.2 percent.
A&M finished the half with a jumper by junior guard Donald Sloan and a block by Elonu to go to the locker room trailing 30-28.
Elonu shot 5-6 from the field, with 11 points in the first half along with Donald Sloan shooting perfect from the floor, scoring 7 of his total 17 points in the game.
James helped Texas with 11 points in the first half along with Johnson's 8 points.
At the start of the second half, Josh Carter hit a jump shot to tie the game at 30, but Texas went on a 5-0 run to bring to lead to 35-30.
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