Texas A&M 71, Louisiana Tech 59: Elston Turner scored 15 points to lead three Aggies in double digits and Texas A&M played stifling defense to pull away from the visiting Bulldogs in the Edward Jones CBE Hall of Fame Classic.
Junior college transfer Fabyon Harris added 14 points and Kourtney Roberson had 12 points and six rebounds for the Aggies, who held Louisiana Tech to 35.7 percent shooting, including 27.3 percent from 3-point range.
Raheem Appleby scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Bulldogs and Brandon Gibson added 13 before fouling out with 3:02 left.
Louisiana Tech was within 30-25 at intermission, but the Aggies opened the second half with a 14-5 run and the lead didn't dip below eight the rest of the way.
Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy earned his first win in three meetings with Louisiana Tech - the previous two came while he was at Murray State.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas A&M has won 12 straight season openers and 13 consecutive home openers. … Louisiana Tech has not beaten an SEC team since 2001. … Texas A&M will host Troy in its second game in the tournament Monday. Louisiana Tech hosts Arkansas-Little Rock on Wednesday before resuming the tournament against Troy on Nov. 18 at Chattanooga.
Louisiana Tech | Texas A&M | |
Raheem Appleby 20 | Scoring | Elston Turner 15 |
Kenneth Smith 6 | Assists | Fabyon Harris 4 |
Kenneth Smith 8 | Rebounds | Andrew Young 8 |
Brandon Gibson 5 | Free Throws Made | Fabyon Harris 5 |
Kenneth Smith 3 | Steals | Alex Caruso 4 |
Michale Kyser 4 | Blocks | Alex Caruso 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Louisiana Tech | 59 | 35.7 | 6-22 | 13-18 | 12 | 32 | 6 | 7 | 15 |
Texas A&M | 71 | 43.6 | 5-15 | 18-24 | 12 | 34 | 2 | 7 | 12 |