NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a thrilling double-overtime game, the Texas Longhorns triumphed over their old rivals, the No. 14 Texas A&M, with a 94-88 victory on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals in their debut appearance at the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The decisive moment came when Tre Johnson hit a crucial 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining in the second overtime. This victory was crucial for Texas (19-14), who entered the tournament as the SEC’s No. 13 seed, desperately needing wins to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. They will next face the formidable No. 4 seed and eighth-ranked Tennessee on Friday.
Johnson emerged as a key player by scoring 20 points for Texas. His teammates, Tramon Mark, Kadin Shedrick, and Jordan Pope, played significant roles in the victory, contributing 15, 14, and 13 points, respectively. The game extended into overtime when Mark’s jumper bounced off the rim, setting the stage for a riveting conclusion.
Wade Taylor IV spearheaded Texas A&M (22-10) with a remarkable 29 points, excelling at the free-throw line with 17 of 18 successful shots. He became the SEC’s all-time leader in tournament scoring. Manny Obaseki contributed 17 points before fouling out, and Aderss Garcia and Henry Coleman III added 13 points and 10 points (with 13 rebounds), respectively.
The Longhorns’ path to victory has been crucial for Texas. Having lost four of their last five games, this win provided a much-needed morale boost and stability to head coach Rodney Terry’s position. With victories in two of their last three matches, the team is beginning to find its rhythm.
For Texas A&M, the Aggies have been strong competitors in recent SEC tournaments, boasting a 7-3 record over the last three years. Having reached the finals in 2022 and 2023 and falling just short in the semifinals last year, they have demonstrated consistent performance, led by seasoned players like Hayden Hefner.
A pivotal play that defined the game was Shedrick’s slam dunk with just 4.6 seconds remaining in the first overtime, which allowed Texas to push the game into a second overtime and ultimately secure their win.
Texas A&M struggled in the final moments, particularly in the second overtime, missing seven of their last eight shot attempts, which hindered their chances of seizing a win.
The Longhorns now gear up to face Tennessee, a team they narrowly lost to by four points earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M will await their seeding in the NCAA Tournament, hoping to advance further in the postseason.
