Mercer University
Texas A&M
Men's Basketball Falters at Texas A&M, 65-50
12/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Mercer men's basketball guards Ike Nwamu and Jordan Strawberry combined for 28 points as the Bears dropped a 65-50 decision to Texas A&M on Tuesday at Reed Arena.
The loss sent Mercer to 6-8 and completed the non-conference portion of the schedule, while Texas A&M (8-3) won for the fourth time in its last five outings.
Nwamu was 6-of-11 from the floor, including four 3-pointers. The junior also added three rebounds, three assists and a block. Strawberry shot 5-of-8, connecting on two 3-pointers while also registering four assists and zero turnovers.
Mercer was firing on all cylinders at the start, holding the Aggies to 2-of-10 shooting while breaking open an 11-5 lead. The Bears would eventually go ahead by 19-8, as Strawberry nailed a 3-pointer to cap a 14-3 Mercer run elapsing 6:37 of game time.
Texas A&M got an old-fashioned three-point play from Jalen Jones with just under seven minutes remaining in the period, marking the start of 17-unanswered Aggie points that put the hosts ahead 30-23 at intermission.
Jibri Bryan and Nwamu both hit 3's in the first two minutes out of the break to get Mercer within one of the lead, but the Aggies responded with an 11-3 charge to move back ahead 41-32.
Nwamu swished a trey the next time down, and the Bears hung around for the better part of the half, ultimately getting back within five twice before a late 14-0 Aggie run put the game out of reach.
Senior T.J. Hallice scored seven and tallied four rebounds, an assist and a block. The Bears outscored the opponent off the bench for the second consecutive game, as freshman Stephon Jelks and sophomore James Bento each chipped in four points.
Mercer continues its season-high six-game road trip at UNC Greensboro on January 3. Game time in Greensboro is slated for 5 p.m.
