COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Savion Flagg scored a game-high 22 points as Texas A&M defeated Vanderbilt 64-57 on Saturday in Reed Arena.
The Aggies (13-15, 6-10 Southeastern) have won five of their last seven league games, while the Commodores (9-20, 0-16) have lost 17 consecutive games, including 16 in the SEC.
The Aggies led 55-53 with 3:06 remaining when Christian Mekowulu made one-of-two free throws to give A&M a three-point lead. Vanderbilt’s Yanni Wetzell quickly responded with a dunk with 2:48 left.
Undaunted, Flagg scored the next two baskets on layups to push A&M to an insurmountable 60-55 lead with 1:28 remaining. Mekowulu added 19 points for the Aggies and Flagg and Mekowulu each grabbed 12 rebounds, the game high.
Wetzell led the Commodores with 15 points. Vanderbilt took an 11-0 lead a little more than three minutes into the game. The Aggies never led in the first half but managed to slice the Commodores’ lead to one on two occasions a few minutes prior to halftime.
Mekowulu missed all five of his free-throw attempts in the first half but rebounded to make 5 of 6 in the second half.
BIG PICTURE
Vanderbilt: The Commodores can’t buy a break this season, building a double-digit lead only to see it waste away late in the first half and after halftime. The Commodores are trying to avoid becoming the first team to finish 0-18 in SEC play and have two more chances to avoid the distinction.
Texas A&M: Following a 1-8 start to league play and rivaling Vanderbilt for SEC wretchedness, the Aggies have won five of their last seven games in giving the A&M administration plenty of food for thought concerning coach Billy Kennedy’s future. He’s likely to miss the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in his eight seasons with the Aggies, but his team’s competitiveness down the stretch is worth noting.
UP NEXT
Vanderbilt: The Commodores host Arkansas on Wednesday in their home finale.
Texas A&M: The Aggies host South Carolina on Tuesday in their home finale.