Just days after celebrating their SEC regular-season championship, the No. 1 Auburn Tigers suffered a rare defeat, falling 83-72 to No. 22 Texas A&M. This loss marked just their second in SEC play and only their third overall this season, shaking up the conference landscape as March Madness looms.
For Texas A&M, the victory was a significant milestone. It was their first win against a ranked opponent since February 8, when they defeated then-No. 15 Missouri. Additionally, it was their first home victory over a ranked team since a November triumph against then-No. 21 Ohio State.
The Aggies controlled the game from the opening tip, never trailing and extending their lead to as many as 13 points in the second half. A key contributor to their success was Zhuric Phelps, who came off the bench to lead all scorers with 19 points. It was his best performance since dropping 21 points against Kentucky in January.
Texas A&M had multiple players step up offensively. Wade Taylor IV continued his impressive scoring streak, finishing with 16 points—his 11th consecutive game with double figures. Pharrel Payne also made a strong impact off the bench, adding 12 points. Meanwhile, Andersson Garcia put together an all-around stellar performance, recording 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Despite the loss, Auburn still had some standout performances. Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford led the Tigers with 19 points, including an efficient 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range. Chad Baker-Mazara contributed 15 points and made three of Auburn’s nine total three-pointers. Miles Kelly, despite struggling with his shot (1-for-8 from the field), managed to reach double figures with 12 points.
Even with this setback, Auburn remains in prime position to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their final regular-season game against No. 7 Alabama on Saturday will be crucial in solidifying their standing before postseason play begins.
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