What a night it was at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, as the Texas A&M Aggies snatched a heart-stopping 90-88 victory over the Auburn Tigers on January 7, 2026, in a game that will be talked about for years to come. Under the direction of first-year head coach Bucky McMillan, the Aggies notched their first Quad 1 win of the season—an achievement that could be a game-changer for their NCAA tournament hopes. This contest marked the Aggies' first triumph over Auburn in the McMillan era, a feat made even sweeter as it kept Texas A&M undefeated in conference play.
Let’s set the scene: Texas A&M, still finding its identity under McMillan, arrived in Auburn with something to prove. The Tigers, always a tough out at home, jumped out to a commanding 16-point lead midway through the second half. With 13:29 left, it looked like the Aggies might be heading home empty-handed. But college basketball is a game of runs, and what happened next was nothing short of miraculous.
The Aggies, fueled by relentless defense and a newfound sense of urgency, went on a jaw-dropping 33-6 run. The scoreboard flipped, and suddenly, Texas A&M held an 11-point advantage with just under seven minutes to play. The energy in the arena shifted, and the Tigers found themselves scrambling to regain their footing. According to On SI, “With 13:29 left in the game, the Aggies were down 16 points, but one brilliant 31-6 run later, and the Maroon and White were up by near-double digits by the six-minute mark in the second half.”
Pop Isaacs, coming off the bench, emerged as the star of the night. He poured in 21 points, including several crucial buckets down the stretch. His composure at the free throw line in the game's dying moments proved vital—though not without drama. Jacari Lane chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Rashaun Agee and Ruben Dominguez each contributed 14 points, providing the Aggies with a balanced offensive attack.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Texas A&M. Entering the final minute, the Aggies led by eight, seemingly in control. Then, the wheels began to wobble. Missed free throws, questionable fouls, and a resurgent Auburn offense threatened to snatch victory away. The Aggies made only 13 of their 20 free throw attempts—just a couple more makes would have put the game out of reach. As the On SI recap noted, “Texas A&M made 13 of 20 free throws, and just two or three more made ones could have avoided the near-loss that the team suffered from Murphy's would-be miracle.”
With 2.4 seconds left and Texas A&M clinging to a two-point lead, Isaacs stepped to the line. He missed the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second to chew up the clock. Auburn corralled the rebound, and the chaos began. The officials halted play to review whether the free throw had touched the rim. After a tense pause, the review confirmed it had, and Auburn was awarded possession with 0.6 seconds remaining, the ball inbounded a third of the way up the court.
That’s when madness truly struck. Auburn’s KeShawn Murphy received the inbounds pass and, with Aggie defenders closing, launched a desperate 35-foot heave as the buzzer sounded. The ball sailed through the net, and for a split second, the home crowd erupted, believing their Tigers had pulled off a miraculous 91-90 win. But the euphoria was short-lived. The referees went to the monitor once more, this time to determine if Murphy had released the shot before time expired. The TV broadcast showed it was close, but the official clock in the arena told the real story—Murphy’s hand was still on the ball when the clock hit 0.0. The basket was waved off, and the Aggies were declared the winners.
The final moments sparked outrage among Auburn fans, who showered the court with boos—and, unfortunately, debris. Yet, by every measure, Texas A&M’s victory was legitimate. According to the game summary, “The review clearly showed the ball hitting the rim, game should've been over, but the refs gave Auburn the ball with 0.6 seconds left... Fortunately for the Aggies, they go by the official clock in the stadium which clearly showed the ball still touching the Auburn player’s hand when the clock hit 0.0.”
Defensively, the Aggies played with the intensity of a team determined to make a statement. They notched 11 steals, including two on back-to-back inbounds plays during their decisive second-half run, drawing comparisons to NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton. As On SI put it, “The Aggies recorded 11 steals in the contest, including two during their majestic 31-6 run... to put them in a perfect position to take their fifth consecutive win on the year.”
This win was more than just a notch in the victory column. It propelled Texas A&M up to 49th in the NET rankings, nudging them closer to the NCAA tournament bubble. The significance of a Quad 1 win—against a quality opponent on the road—cannot be overstated, especially for a program seeking to establish itself under new leadership. The Aggies now sit at 2-0 in conference play, their confidence growing with each game.
Of course, there’s still work to be done. The Aggies’ late-game execution, particularly at the free throw line and in clock management, left something to be desired. These are the kinds of details that can make or break a season, especially as the SEC schedule intensifies. Coach McMillan and his staff will no doubt focus on these areas in the days ahead.
Looking forward, Texas A&M faces a pivotal home matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Reed Arena. The Sooners bring a similar résumé, and a win would push the Aggies to a 3-0 start in conference play—an outcome that would further bolster their tournament credentials and ignite the fan base.
As the dust settles in Auburn, one thing is clear: Texas A&M’s victory wasn’t just about surviving a wild finish. It was about resilience, belief, and the emergence of a new identity under Bucky McMillan. The Aggies have shown they can take a punch—and deliver one right back. The road ahead is long, but nights like these are what college basketball is all about. Next stop: Reed Arena, where the Aggies will look to keep the magic going against Oklahoma.