Texas A&M's role players stepped up in 80-71 win over Yale in the NCAA Tournament
4-seed Texas A&M (23-10, 11-7 SEC) entered the first full day of the 2025 NCAA Tournament as an upset pick for nearly every fan and "college basketball expert" due to the program's first-round matchup vs. Yale, as the 13-seed Bulldogs were one of the top shooting teams in the country, and pulled off the upset over 4-seed Auburn in the first round of the tournament last season.
However, those same "experts" conveniently forgot about Texas A&M's elite defense and rebounding dominance. While Yale came into the game ranked 22nd in rebounding, junior forward Pharrel Payne was too much for the Bulldogs' frontcourt. In a game where the Aggies led for nearly the entire game, the junior forward's overwhelming strength led to a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the best game of his Aggie career.
Defeating Yale 80-71, the Aggies shot a surprising 51% from the field and out-rebounded the Bulldogs 37-29, including 10 offensive rebounds. Strategically, while Payne came off the bench, he played 11 more minutes than Henry Coleman, while Andersson Garcia played a team-high 32 minutes, pulling down eight rebounds and producing seven points.
Star guard Wade Taylor IV delivered 16 points. At the same time, fellow senior Manny Obaseki delivered nine points in 20 minutes. Still, one of the surprise performances came from senior reserve guard Jace Carter, who hit two key 3-pointers and a handful of tough layups for 10 points in one of his grittiest performances of the year. Texas A&M's 42 bench points were game-defining.
Payne's dominant play will need to continue for the Aggies to make a deep run, but the bench will need to continue making an impact, which will hopefully open up Wade Taylor from beyond the arc.
Texas A&M will play the winner of No. 5 Michigan (25-9) versus No. 12 UC San Diego (30-4) in the second round on Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M basketball's role players stepped up in 80-71 win over Yale
Topics
-
Aggie fans react to Texas A&M's 80-71 March Madness win over Yale in round one
Texas A&M takes care of business in round one of the NCAA Tournament, beating Yale 80-71 to kick off March Madness behind Pharrel Payne's 25 points.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Texas A&M avoids an Ivy League upset by beating Yale 80-71 in NCAA Tournament
Texas A&M was never in danger of letting the Ivy Leaguers from Yale pull another March Madness upset. The Aggies sent Yale back to class Thursday with an 80-71 victory behind a career-high 25 ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Texas A&M men's basketball team beats Yale in March Madness, advances to NCAA second round
Pharrel Payne scored 25 points as Texas A&M beat Yale in first round of March Madness. The Aggies face the winner of Michigan vs. UC San Diego next.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Texas A&M vs. Yale odds, March Madness predictions: 2025 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model
The SportsLine Projection Model has revealed its Texas A&M Aggies vs. Yale Bulldogs picks for the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on ThursdayCBS Sports - 20h -
Aggie fans react to Texas A&M earning a 4-seed, taking on 13-seed Yale in March Madness
Selection Sunday has come, leading to social media reacting to 4-seed Texas A&M facing 13-seed Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Texas basketball vs Texas A&M: What Longhorns' OT win at SEC tournament means
The Longhorns showed grit in their second-round win over Texas A&M at the SEC Tournament. Will it be enough to get them into the NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Texas A&M vs Yale basketball prediction: TV channel, game info for NCAA Tournament matchup
Texas A&M basketball opens the NCAA Tournament against Yale on Thursday in Denver, Colo.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Texas A&M vs. Yale schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the Texas A&M, Yale NCAA Tournament game? How to watch the Aggies vs. Bulldogs March Madness game on Thursday, March 20 on TV.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Did the Longhorns punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by beating Texas A&M?
Did the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team ensure a spot in the NCAA Tournament with Thursday's upset win over rival Texas A&M? It's complicated.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 33m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 37m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 30m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 30m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 30m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 30m