No. 18 Texas A&M faced undefeated New Mexico on Saturday at Houston's Toyota Center.
A hot shooting New Mexico opened up an 18-point 2nd half lead before the Aggies fought back to pull with one with 8 seconds left.
The Lobos made two free throws, the Aggies missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer that would have tied the game, and A&M fell 84-81.
Texas A&M's Donald Sloan led all scorers with 29 points.
New Mexico raced to a 15-2 lead in the first four minutes of play.
The Aggies went on their own 16-4 run to pull within one, 19-18, on a Donald Sloan layup at the 9:48 mark in the first half.
The Aggies were still within four, 25-21, at the 5:37 left in the first half when the Lobos scored eight straight to take a 33-21 lead.
New Mexico led at halftime 40-29, on the strength of 6-for-10 three-point shooting, as compared to the Aggies' 3-of-14 from three-point range.
The Aggies pulled back to within eight, 44-36, in the first 4 minutes of the second half before the Lobos went on a 18-8 run to open up a 18-point lead, 62-44, at the 12:33 mark in the second half.
Texas A&M fought back, outscoring the Lobos 34-18 during the next twelve minutes and Donald Sloan's 3-point jumper with 30 second left pulled the Aggies to within two, 80-78.
With 18 seconds left the Aggies had a chance to tie the game but Nathan Walkup missed both of his free throw attempts.
A.J. Hardeman was fouled by Bryan Davis with 16 second left and made both free throws to give extend New Mexico's lead to 82-78.
Khris Middleton hit a 3-point jumper with 9 seconds left to pull the Aggies to within one, 82-81.
Donald Sloan immediately fouled Roman Martinez, and Martinez sunk two crucial free throw to push the Lobo lead back to three, 84-81.
The Aggies had one last chance to tie the game but B.J. Holmes three-point attempt was blocked by Darington Hobson and New Mexico escaped the Aggie comeback attempt with an 84-81 win.
Roman Martinez had 22 points and Darington Hobson scored 18 to lead New Mexico.
Texas A&M's Donald Sloan led all scorers with 29 points and B.J. Holmes added 14 for the Aggies.
Texas A&M just faced a hot shooting team on the day, with New Mexico hitting 56% from the field and an outstanding 62% from 3-point range.
Despite the Lobos hot hand, the Aggies fought back from 18 down to have a chance with the final shot and this comeback, while falling just short, will pay divends for the Aggies in the future.
Texas A&M (8-2) now have a week to prepare to host The Citadel next Saturday night.