COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) Guard Jay Jay Chandler scored 17 points and Texas A&M overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to defeat Louisiana-Monroe 63-57 on Monday night.
The Aggies trailed 36-26 with 17:08 remaining in the game when Chandler sank consecutive 3-pointers to pull the home team within four at 36-32.
Chandler then followed with two made free throws after a foul on his drive to the basket, giving ULM a 36-34 advantage. A&M (2-0) finally tied the game at 45-45 on a thunderous alley-oop dunk by forward Josh Nebo, who saw his first action of the season after missing training camp because of injury.
The Aggies finally grabbed a lead at 47-45 when Nebo blocked a shot and Chandler finished the resulting fast break with a dunk at the 7:52 mark. Nebo then upped the lead the Aggies wouldn’t relinquish with another dunk, in lifting A&M to a 49-45 advantage.
Warhawks guard Michael Ertel led all scorers with 25 points, in making 6 of 13 3-pointers. ULM (2-1) hurt itself with 20 turnovers, including five by Tyree White.
The Aggies played before only a couple thousand fans in a 13,000-seat arena, in Buzz Williams’ second game as A&M coach. The Warhawks started their season with home victories over Louisiana College and Alcorn State, the latter in overtime.
BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M: The Aggies defeated Northwestern State by 14 in their opener on Wednesday and were never really in any trouble. They overcame a 10-point second half deficit to prevail against the Warhawks, which should give them a lift on Friday against a top 10 foe.
ULM: The Warhawks can take plenty of heart in their first setback of the season, leading the Aggies by 10 in the second half before more talented A&M mounted a comeback.
Texas A&M: The Aggies defeated Northwestern State by 14 in their opener on Wednesday and were never really in any trouble. They overcame a 10-point second half deficit to prevail against the Warhawks, which should give them a lift on Friday against a Top 10 foe.
UP NEXT
The Warhawks stay on the road against the SEC on Thursday at Mississippi State.
The Aggies hope to finally draw a decent home crowd when they host No. 8 Gonzaga on Friday.
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