Having lost 4 of their last 5 games and with their backs firmly against the wall, Texas A&M (22-8, 8-7 Big 12) a fired up Aggie team fought hard to capture a critical 71-57 road win over Baylor (20-9, 8-7 Big 12) on Wednesday night.
Josh Carter and Donald Sloan scored 17 points apiece while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots to lead the Aggies.
The win avenges a five-overtime loss in College Station on Jan. 23. and keeps the Aggie hopes of earning an NCAA tourney invite very much alive.
The Aggies started strong, opening a 10-2 lead in the first five minutes of play, before Baylor came back to within 2, 12-10, at the 8:47 mark.
The Aggies took a 26-21 lead at the half.
Tweety Carter sank Baylor's first 3-pointer with 17:33 left in the second half and Curtis Jerrells hit another one a minute later to give the Bears their first lead, at 31-30.
DeAndre Jordan grabbed an offensive rebound and emphatically dunked with 2:23 left to give A&M a 53-47 lead.
The Aggies kept made 12 of 13 free throws in the closing minutes to cement the victory.
Donald Sloan finished off the game with a showboat dunk.
Curtis Jerrells and Mamadou Diene scored nine points apiece for Baylor, held under 60 points for the first time this season.
The Aggie defense was tough, as the Bears went 4-for-19 from 3-points range and shot 21-for-63 (33 percent) from the field overall.