National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Texas A&M 81, Liberty 59
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Where: Reed Arena, College Station, Texas
Officials: # Rod Dixon, # Tim Gattis, # Roland Simmons
Attendance: 6118

Texas A&M used a balanced attack to blow past overmatched Liberty 81-59 in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer on Wednesday in College Station, Texas.

The No. 19 Aggies (1-0) were supposed to play in their first game under Billy Kennedy, but the new coach missed the game because he is still undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last month. Assistant Glynn Cyprien took over.

Texas A&M will meet Mississippi State in the semifinals Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Ten different players scored in the first half as the Aggies built a commanding 37-14 lead at the break. They suffocated the Flames from the beginning and 11 minutes into the game, Liberty (0-1) had more turnovers (five) than points (four) and trailed by 13.

Texas A&M didn’t let up after the break and took a 45-17 lead when Naji Hibbert found big man Ray Turner on a fast break for an alley-oop. Minutes later, freshman Jamal Branch connected with Turner for another alley-oop to give the Aggies a 54-26 advantage.

Turner scored a game-high 20 points, doubling his career high, as Texas A&M won its 61 straight non-conference game at Reed Arena.
Top Game Performances
 
Liberty   Texas A&M
John Caleb Sanders 18 Scoring Ray Turner 20
Jesse Sanders 9 Assists Jamal Branch 6
Chene Phillips 5 Rebounds Keith Davis 6
Jesse Sanders 4 Free Throws Made Elston Turner 4
Antwan Burrus 2 Steals Elston Turner 2
N/A Blocks Kourtney Roberson 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Liberty 59 33.3 5-21 12-15 16 23 0 4
Texas A&M 81 65.4 1-7 12-22 21 38 4 4