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Aggies basketball stays undefeated against Rio Grande Valley

Posted at 11:09 PM, Nov 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-01 00:09:58-05

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Texas A&M junior guards D.J. Hogg and Admon Gilder scored 17 points each and the ninth-ranked Aggies used a 16-0 start to defeat Texas-Rio Grande Valley 78-60 on Thursday night.

Texas A&M (7-0) only led UTRGV (3-6) by seven points with more than 7 minutes remaining before pulling away and staying undefeated on the season. UTRGV kept the game closer than many had anticipated through 3 1/2 quarters based on the Aggies' struggles from the free throw line. Texas A&M made 18 of 30 from the free throw line compared to 11 of 13 for the Vaqueros.

The Vaqueros cut the Aggies' lead to 57-50 on a short jumper by Mike Hoffman with 7:30 remaining, but the Aggies quickly responded on the other end when Tyler Davis found Tonny Trocha-Morelos wide open under the basket for a dunk and a nine-point lead.

That basket marked the first of nine consecutive points by A&M in putting away the Vaqueros down the stretch. UTRGV is coached by Lew Hill, a Texas A&M assistant from 1998-2004 under then-coach Melvin Watkins.

Texas A&M has won all of its games by double digits.

BIG PICTURE

Texas A&M: The Aggies have faced a handful of "name" programs so far this season, so UTRGV playing this one closer than anticipated for much of the game serves as a solid reminder for A&M to not take any opponent for granted.

UTRGV: The Vaqueros can take heart in hanging around with nation's No. 9 team for much of the 40 minutes, and certainly will remember playing one of the SEC's top teams fairly close when it comes time to compete in the WAC.

UP NEXT

Texas A&M: faces Arizona on Tuesday in the Valley of the Sun Shootout in Phoenix.

UTRGV: the Vaqueros continue an in-state road trip to Rice on Saturday in search of snapping a four-game losing streak.

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