With big second half, LSU sinks Texas A&M in SEC opener

Jordan Wright had 20 points and 10 rebounds and LSU dominated the second half in a 68-53 victory over Texas A&M in the SEC opener for both teams Saturday night at College Station, Texas.

Jalen Cook added 13 points and the Tigers (9-5, 1-0 SEC) outscored the Aggies (9-5, 0-1) in the second half 38-21.

Wade Taylor IV scored 23 points and Tyrece Radford added 11 to lead Texas A&M. The Aggies, who entered the game as the national leader in offensive rebounds (18.7 per game), had just 13 offensive rebounds and got outrebounded 46-40.

Texas A&M shot just 25.4 percent from the floor and 17.9 percent on 3-pointers and its bench was outscored 25-6 by its counterparts.

LSU set the tone at the start of the second half by scoring the first eight points to take a 38-32 lead.

Radford made a layup for the Aggies' first points after more than three minutes and a 3-pointer by Taylor pulled Texas A&M within one point.

Ward scored five points and Mike Williams III and Will Baker made two field goals each to help the Tigers open a 55-44 lead.

The Aggies scored the next five points, but consecutive field goals by Jalen Reed, Cook and Wright expanded LSU's lead to 61-49 with five minutes remaining.

Wright made a 3-pointer for the first points of the game and Carlos Stewart and Derek Fountain added layups to give LSU a 7-4 lead.

The Aggies score the next eight points before Tyrell Ward made a 3-pointer to complete a 7-0 run and give the Tigers a 19-16 lead.

Texas A&M responded with a 6-0 run before Hunter Dean made a layup for LSU.

Wright made two free throws to pull the Tigers even at 28 and the score was tied again before Hayden Hefner made two free throws to give the Aggies a 32-30 halftime lead.

—Field Level Media