COLLEGE STATION, Texas | Alabama State men's basketball opened the 2026-27 season Tuesday night, but Texas A&M used a strong first half and a decisive second-half performance to hand the Hornets a 97-66 defeat at Reed Arena in the collegiate coaching debut of head coach Chris Wright.
The Hornets battled through stretches of the opening half and put together several scoring runs, but the Aggies' offensive efficiency, transition game and ability to capitalize on turnovers proved too much to overcome. Alabama State was outscored 44-29 in the first half before Texas A&M added 53 points after halftime to secure the victory.
Paul McMillan IV led Alabama State with 17 points, while Mike James added 16 points. Damarion Bonds pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, and Joseph Scott finished with nine boards. McMillan also led the Hornets with three assists.
First Half
Texas A&M established an early advantage, opening the contest with a 4-0 run before Alabama State began to find its offensive rhythm. Scott got the Hornets on the scoreboard with a second-chance basket, and Terrence Hampton Jr. contributed a second-chance layup as Alabama State worked to stay within striking distance.
Scott continued to provide an inside presence, connecting on another basket off an assist from McMillan IV to bring the Hornets within 7-6. McMillan then knocked down a 3-pointer at the 14:03 mark, trimming the deficit to 11-9.
Texas A&M responded with a 3-pointer from Zach Clemence and continued to generate offense around the basket. James answered with a 3-pointer off an assist from Hampton Jr. at the 12:17 mark, cutting the Aggies' advantage to 16-13.
James continued to provide an offensive spark, connecting on a jumper to make it an 18-15 contest. He later converted three free throws to help Alabama State remain within striking distance at 23-18 before adding another basket that brought the Hornets within 23-20 with 7:30 remaining in the half.
However, Texas A&M responded with an extended offensive run. A 3-pointer from Jordan Pope and a dunk from Cade Phillips pushed the Aggies' advantage to 29-20. Marquintez Dixon answered with an alley-oop finish off a pass from James, but Texas A&M continued to build its lead through second-chance opportunities and transition baskets.
McMillan IV and Isaiah Barganier helped Alabama State find points late in the half, with McMillan connecting on a basket and converting at the free-throw line. Despite the Hornets' efforts, Texas A&M closed the half with a 44-29 advantage.
Second Half
Alabama State opened the second half with renewed offensive energy. James connected on a 3-pointer just 12 seconds into the period, and Bonds followed with a basket after a turnover to cut the deficit to 44-34.
Texas A&M quickly answered, however, as Mackenzie Mgbako connected from beyond the arc and PJ Haggerty added a transition 3-pointer to extend the Aggies' lead. Haggerty continued to score around the basket, helping Texas A&M build its advantage to 52-34.
The Aggies continued to capitalize on Alabama State miscues, with Pope knocking down another 3-pointer at the 14:56 mark to push the margin to 56-34.
The Hornets continued to compete and put together their best offensive stretch of the second half. Hampton Jr. converted a second-chance layup, followed by a 3-pointer from James to make it 56-39. Dixon added a basket inside, and Bonds scored on a fast-break layup after forcing a turnover.
McMillan IV capped the Alabama State surge with a 3-pointer at the 11:52 mark, completing a 7-0 run and bringing the Hornets within 58-46.
Texas A&M responded with another scoring push, using free throws and transition opportunities to regain control. Haggerty converted a fast-break layup, while Jalen Shelley added consecutive baskets following Alabama State turnovers to extend the lead to 65-46.
McMillan IV answered with his third 3-pointer of the game, but Pope responded from beyond the arc, helping the Aggies maintain a comfortable advantage. Texas A&M continued to find offensive opportunities inside and at the free-throw line as the game moved toward its final minutes.
Barganier contributed at the free-throw line and added a basket inside, while Noah Benny connected on a pair of 3-pointers during the second half. Benny also knocked down a late 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining, finishing with eight points. McMillan IV added another free throw late, but Texas A&M maintained its advantage and closed out the 97-66 victory.
Statistical Leaders
McMillan IV paced the Alabama State offense with 17 points, shooting 5-of-16 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. James followed with 16 points, including three 3-pointers, while Barganier and Benny contributed eight points apiece.
Bonds led the Hornets on the glass with 10 rebounds, while Scott added nine rebounds. McMillan IV dished out a team-best three assists, and James finished with two assists. Dixon contributed four points and six rebounds, while Hampton Jr. added four points and four rebounds.
Alabama State finished the contest shooting 22-of-67 (32.8 percent) from the field, including 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range and 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) at the free-throw line. The Hornets showed improvement from beyond the arc in the second half, connecting on 6-of-12 attempts.
Texas A&M shot 48.4 percent from the field (30-of-62) and finished with 29 made free throws on 48 attempts. The Aggies held a 42-26 advantage in points in the paint and scored 18 fast-break points compared to three for Alabama State. Texas A&M also converted Alabama State turnovers into 30 points.
Despite the loss, Alabama State finished with a 44-43 rebounding advantage and held a 16-12 edge in second-chance points.
The contest marked the beginning of the Chris Wright era for Alabama State men's basketball as the Hornets opened their 2026-27 campaign on the road against the Aggies.
UP NEXT
Alabama State hosts Georgia Gwinnett College for its 2026-27 home opener on Monday at 6 p.m. inside the Reed-Dunn-Oliver Acadcome
