Texas A&M's men's basketball team secured a thrilling 63-62 victory against Ole Miss on Wednesday night, halting their two-game losing streak and marking their return to winning form. Coach Buzz Williams expressed pride in his team's resilience following the hard-fought matchup, which took place on the road at The Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi.
The clash featured remarkable performances, especially from guards Manny Obaseki and Pharrel Payne. Obaseki clinched the win for the Aggies (15-4, 4-2 SEC) with a game-winning three-pointer from the right wing, with just 13 seconds left on the clock, allowing Texas A&M to take their first lead of the game.
Throughout the contest, the No. 16 Rebels (15-4, 4-2 SEC) maintained control and led by as many as 11 points at one stage. The Aggies faced a challenging second half, trailing at 60-52 with only two minutes left. But they staged a comeback by scoring 11 points to Ole Miss's two during the dying minutes, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure, especially down the stretch when Ole Miss failed to score for the last 3:59 seconds of the game.
This shooting drought for the Rebels contributed significantly to Texas A&M's success and allowed them to thrive amid adversity. The final chances for Ole Miss included a missed jumper by power forward Jaemyn Brakefield with just two seconds remaining, which led to wild scrambles for possession as the clock ran out.
Three players for Texas A&M stood out offensively, with Zhuric Phelps contributing 14 points and Payne adding 10 points, playing pivotal roles alongside Obaseki, who finished with 12 points. Notably, star point guard Wade Taylor IV encountered difficulties, scoring only four points on 2-of-12 shooting, which included missing all six attempts from three-point range.
Despite Taylor's struggles, the team defense and rebounding proved to be decisive factors. Texas A&M dominated the boards, outrebounding Ole Miss 48-31, emphasizing their physical presence and determination throughout the match. Their defensive strategy, particularly their effective press defense, disrupted Ole Miss's offensive rhythm, leading to ten turnovers by the Rebels.
Williams reflected on the nature of the game, stating, “It was not pretty, but we stole the win on the road. We needed this as we regroup after two tough conference losses.” The grit and perseverance displayed by his squad were hallmarks of their comeback.
The experience gained from prior close contests played out well; the Aggies executed their game plan effectively when it mattered most, showing growth and adaptability after facing tough challenges earlier this season.
With this victory, Texas A&M advances their standing with six Quadrant 1 wins this season—a stat reflective of their ability to perform against formidable opponents. Williams's squad now prepares for another big challenge as they travel to Austin to face Texas on Saturday, January 25, at 1:30 p.m. CST, with expectations high following their successful outing against Ole Miss.
Overall, this comeback victory serves as not just another addition to the win column but as testimony to the character of the Texas A&M men's basketball team. The experience gained and lessons learned through this tough road game will be invaluable as they move forward in their season.