If you walked into the Moody Center last night expecting the usual Austin dominance over the Aggies, you probably left feeling a little dizzy. Honestly, the atmosphere was electric, but the result was something most Texas fans haven't seen in their entire adult lives.
Texas A&M beat Texas 74-70.
It wasn’t just a loss. It was the end of a streak so long it feels fake. Before last night, the Longhorns had defended their home court against Texas A&M for 11 straight games. You have to go back to January 23, 2002, to find the last time the Aggies walked out of Austin with a win. That’s nearly a quarter-century of frustration wiped away in 40 minutes of intense, SEC-caliber basketball.
What Really Happened With the Texas Game Last Night
The game was a tale of two halves, but the second half is where things got weird for the Longhorns. At halftime, it was a 29-29 deadlock. Tramon Mark hit a buzzer-beating three to tie it up, and it felt like Texas had all the momentum heading into the locker room.
Then the second half started.
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Texas A&M came out like they were shot from a cannon. They opened with a 15-5 run that caught Sean Miller’s squad flat-footed. By the time the Longhorns looked at the scoreboard, they were down 44-34.
The Bench Disparity Was the Real Killer
You can look at shooting percentages all day, but the bench points tell the real story of who won the texas game last night.
- Texas A&M Bench: 20 points
- Texas Bench: 6 points
That’s a 14-point swing in a game decided by four. When your starters are gassed, you need a lift, and Texas just didn't get it. Meanwhile, the Aggies got huge contributions from guys like Ruben Dominguez and Jamie Vinson. Vinson, a former Longhorn, had himself a "revenge game" moment, highlighted by a monster dunk over a seven-footer that basically silenced the student section.
Key Performers and Statistics
The game featured some heavy lifting from the stars, but it was the efficiency of the Aggies that eventually wore Texas down.
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Texas A&M Standouts:
Rashaun Agee was a problem all night. He dropped 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, securing his eighth double-double of the year. Rylan Griffen matched him with 17 points, but get this—all 17 of Griffen’s points came in the second half. He went 4-of-5 from deep. When a guy gets that hot in a rivalry game, there’s not much you can do.
Texas Standouts:
Jordan Pope and Dailyn Swain both put up 17 points for the Longhorns. Pope was hitting from the parking lot, going 4-of-9 from three-point range. Matas Vokietaitis did his best to keep them in it with 14 points and 9 boards, but the Longhorns struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 63% of their shots compared to the Aggies' more disciplined performance.
The Turning Point
With about three minutes left, Jacari Lane buried a three-pointer to give A&M an 11-point lead (73-62). Most people started heading for the exits. But Texas actually made it interesting. They went on a frantic 8-0 run in the final two minutes. Chendall Weaver hit a layup with seven seconds left to make it 73-70.
For a split second, it felt like another Austin miracle was brewing. But Jacari Lane stepped to the line, sank a free throw, and iced it.
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Why This Win Matters for the SEC Standings
This wasn't just about bragging rights or the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown trophy. This win moved Texas A&M to 14-4 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. They are legitimately in the hunt for a high seed in the tournament.
Texas, on the other hand, falls to 11-7 and 2-3 in conference play. The road doesn't get any easier from here. They’ve got Kentucky coming to town on Wednesday, and if they don't find some production from their bench soon, the SEC gauntlet is going to be very unkind to them.
Surprising Details You Might Have Missed
- The 2002 Connection: The last time A&M won in Austin, the score was 80-74. Last night was 74-70. Spooky close.
- Home Dominance Snapped: Texas had won 24 of the last 25 home games against A&M before this collapse.
- Turnover Trouble: The Aggies turned 8 Texas turnovers into 15 points. That’s efficiency you just can't beat.
If you're a Longhorns fan, this one stings. Losing a rivalry game at home is bad; losing one that snaps a two-decade-long winning streak is worse. But honestly, the Aggies played the better game. They were deeper, they shot better in the clutch, and they didn't blink when Texas tried to mount that late-game comeback.
For those looking ahead, Texas needs to tighten up the perimeter defense. Giving up 40% from three-point land is a recipe for disaster in this league. Keep an eye on the injury report this week to see if any rotations change before the Kentucky game.
Next Steps for Longhorn Fans:
- Watch the Tape: Look at the 15-5 run A&M had to start the second half; that’s where the game was lost.
- Check the Standings: Texas is now middle-of-the-pack in the SEC. Every game from here on out is a must-win for tournament seeding.
- Kentucky Preparation: The Wildcats bring even more offensive firepower than A&M. The Moody Center needs to be louder on Wednesday.