The Texas A&M men’s basketball team opened their 2014-15 campaign with a 109-68 rout of Northwestern State University before a crowd of 5,254 fans at Reed Arena. The game marked the first time the Aggies scored 100 or more points since they reached the century mark in a losing effort against Baylor University on Jan. 23, 2008.
A&M stifled a Northwestern State offense that averaged 86.6 points per game a year ago and also held the Demons returning leading scorer, Jalan West, to only 10 points. Aggie head coach Billy Kennedy was impressed with his team’s performance.
“Really excited that our team came out with a defensive mindset and set the tone and try to limit Jalan West,” coach Kennedy said. “And I thought Jordan Green did a tremendous job scoring, and Alex Caruso, and Kourtney [Roberson] provided the leadership and chemistry that led us into this game.”
The Aggies (1-0) jumped out to a quick 14-4 lead with a Jordan Green layup at the 14:11 mark. Green, the 6-foot-5, 191-pound returning senior from Flower Mound, Texas, finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting for the Aggies.
A&M extended its lead to 33 points, riding a 32-8 run into halftime. The run, which put the Aggies up 55-22 at the break, featured contributions from Avery Johnson Jr. and Peyton Allen, both freshmen who were making their debuts for the Aggies. Allen, who made his first career start Friday, sank four 3-pointers.
Allen finished with 12 points, all from beyond the arc. Kennedy was impressed with the freshman’s debut performance.
“That’s what we brought him in for,” Kennedy said. “He doesn’t hurt you defensively, just solid, shares the ball, has a good feel for what we’re doing. I think that helps our complement of Alex Caruso and Jordan Green at that spot.”
Allen and Johnson Jr. were joined by Jalen Joseph, a transfer from Southern Methodist University, and Alex Robinson, a highly touted recruit from Arlington, Texas, as Aggie newcomers who saw action in the home opener.
Joseph led the Aggies with sixteen points, his most notable bucket coming with 6:23 remaining as he electrified the crowd with a one handed tomahawk slam.
Joseph, who was granted immediate eligibility to play this season, was just happy to get back out on the court.
“It was great. It was so hard just sitting out when I transferred here in the middle of conference play,” Joseph said.” They had their ups and downs, I was just wishing I could be out there helping them and now my opportunity is now so I’m just happy to be back out there.”
In addition to newcomers, several seasoned veterans also produced for the Aggies. Senior guard Caruso led the Aggies with eight assistsin the season opener, despite only playing 19 minutes. Caruso added four steals on the night which also led the team.
Junior Antwan Space tied Jones with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 19 minutes played. Space accumulated four of his 16 points from the free throw line, making 4-of-5 attempts.
The Aggies next game is against Dayton on Nov. 20 at the Puerto Rico Tip Off tournament.