COLLEGE STATION, Texas — In a thrilling victory, Zhuric Phelps came off the bench to score 19 points, propelling No. 22 Texas A&M to an impressive 83-72 triumph over top-ranked Auburn on Tuesday night.
This win marks a historic achievement for Texas A&M, as it is their first victory over a team ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Aggies’ success broke the Tigers’ six-game winning streak; Auburn had recently secured the Southeastern Conference title with a victory against Kentucky on Saturday.
Competing at Reed Arena, Texas A&M (21-9, 10-7 SEC) thwarted Auburn’s hopes for an unblemished conference road record. Auburn came into the game with a perfect 9-0 record in SEC road games this season, which Texas A&M decisively disrupted.
The Aggies, recovering from a stretch of four consecutive losses, maintained a commanding lead throughout the game. They were ahead by double figures for a significant portion of the night and held a 12-point advantage with about two minutes left on the clock. Although Tahaad Pettiford’s three-pointer trimmed the gap to 79-70, Phelps promptly responded by sinking two crucial free throws to widen the lead.
Pettiford provided Auburn with a spark in the second half, making three three-pointers in quick succession to reduce the deficit to six points. However, Wade Taylor IV countered with a pivotal three-point play, igniting a 5-0 run that reestablished Texas A&M’s lead to 62-51.
Pettiford also topped Auburn’s scoring with 19 points, including six successful shots from beyond the arc. The Aggies celebrated their victory over Arkansas on Feb. 15 in front of a boisterous crowd of 12,257 fans, which featured notable attendees such as former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans, both illustrious alumni of the university.
In terms of takeaways, Auburn faced challenges due to an uncharacteristically off night for their leading scorer, Johni Broome. Broome, averaging 18.4 points per game, was limited to eight points against the Aggies. He appeared to suffer a shoulder injury early in the game but still played for 32 minutes despite the hindrance.
Conversely, Texas A&M capitalized on this massive win to gain momentum as they approach the SEC tournament, having bounced back from recent slumps effectively. A key moment came early in the game when the Aggies opened with a 12-2 lead, setting a tone they maintained throughout.
A crucial statistic from the game was Texas A&M’s significant advantage in offensive rebounding, leading 24-9, which was instrumental in their victory.
Looking ahead, Auburn will host No. 7 Alabama on Saturday, while Texas A&M is slated to visit LSU.
