Zach Clemence scored a career-high 29 and Texas A&M shot 52.6 percent, but No. 20 Arkansas pulled away late in a 99-84 SEC showdown in Fayetteville.
Texas A&M basketball got a breakout performance Wednesday night - it just wasn’t enough to silence Bud Walton Arena.
Behind a career-best 29 points from Zach Clemence, the Aggies pushed No. 20 Arkansas deep into the second half before falling 99-84 in a fast-paced SEC battle.
Clemence was electric, connecting on 11-of-14 shots (78.6 percent) and knocking down 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Even more impressive? He poured in 22 of those points after halftime, keeping Texas A&M within striking distance.
But Arkansas had an answer - and then some. The Razorbacks used relentless second-chance opportunities to flip the momentum, dominating the glass for an 18-4 edge in second-chance points.
When the game tightened midway through the second half, Arkansas responded with a scorching stretch, converting 13 straight field goals to create separation for good.
Texas A&M (19-9, 9-6 SEC) actually shot its best percentage in conference play this season, finishing at 52.6 percent from the field and an even sharper 59.4 percent in the second half.
Rashaun Agee added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, continuing his consistent SEC run. He has now scored 15 or more points in three consecutive games and reached double figures in 15 of the last 17 contests.
The Aggies also got production from the bench, outscoring Arkansas’ reserves 45-27 - the 17th time this season A&M’s non-starters have produced at least 30 points.
Texas A&M jumped out early with an 11-2 surge but couldn’t withstand Arkansas’ counterpunches, including two decisive scoring runs in the first half that built a double-digit cushion.
Now, the focus shifts quickly. The Aggies return home to Reed Arena on Saturday for the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown against Texas. With NCAA Tournament positioning tightening in the SEC, the stakes - and the rivalry - couldn’t be bigger.