In its previous basketball game, Texas A&M got off to a great start.
The Aggies hope it was the start of something great.
Whether it is or not may be revealed on Tuesday when A&M (6-2) travels to face Pittsburgh (5-3) at 6 p.m. CT in the ACC-SEC Challenge. The Aggies hope to continue gaining momentum in a stretch against three ACC opponents as Southeastern Conference play nears.
They quite literally aim to maintain the shooting surge shown in a 95-59 thrashing of Florida State last Friday.
The Aggies roared out to a 16-3 lead and never really slowed down. They hit 15 times from 3-point range and converted 20 of 25 free throws. They forced 16 turnovers, which they turned into 21 points.
Rubén Dominguez hit seven 3-pointers en route to 21 points. Rashaun Agee posted a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds.
Pop Isaacs and Mackenzie Mgbako also scored in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Dominguez (15.6 points per game), Marcus Hill (11.6), Rylan Griffen (11.2) and Agee (10.5) all average in double figures for A&M, which is 12th in the nation in scoring with a 93.6-point average.
That’s just one example of gaudy statistics the Aggies are boasting. They’re seventh in the country in 3-pointers per game (12.1), ninth in free throws made per game (22.0) and 11th in turnovers forced (17.62).
However, gaudy stats don’t figure to come as easily against Pitt, which is 59th in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers allow an average of just 66.5 points per game.
Most recently, Pitt dealt Ohio State (6-1) its only loss of the season. The Panthers toppled the Buckeyes, 67-66, on a 3-pointer at the buzzer from guard Damarco Minor.
Minor, Cameron Corhen — a 6-foot-10 forward from Allen — and guard Barry Dunning, Jr. all had 18 points in that win.
That trio leading the way has been pretty typical for Pitt. Corhen averages 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds to lead the team.
Minor averages 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Dunning averages 10.4.
Another guard, Brandin Cummings, averages 12.4 points, but he has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. His status is uncertain.
