Texas A&M upset by Alabama for 3rd straight loss
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Retin Obasohan scored 16 points and Alabama survived a big rally from No. 15 Texas A&M for a 63-62 victory Wednesday night, the Aggies' third straight loss.
The Crimson Tide (14-9, 5-6 Southeastern Conference) beat its fourth ranked opponent of Avery Johnson's debut season despite missing its final three shots. Anthony Collins was fouled on a drive with 2.3 seconds left but missed both free throws for the Aggies (18-6, 7-4). They've dropped four consecutive SEC games since a 7-0 league start, tumbling from a program-best No. 5 ranking.
Texas A&M had its chances after wiping out most of an 11-point deficit over the final 6:34.
Riley Norris had 11 points for Alabama and Shannon Hale scored 10. Obasohan had five assists and three steals. It's the first time Alabama has beaten four Top 25 teams in a season since 2001-02.
Jalen Jones had 21 points and seven rebounds for Texas A&M. Danuel House overcame a slow start to score 12 points, and Collins finished with 11 points and five assists.
The Tide's third straight win didn't come without some anxious moments for Johnson and the fans at Coleman Coliseum.
Alabama twice had to settle for 3-point attempts after working most of the shot clock down in the final minutes. House responded with two free throws after the first miss and Jones pulled up for a quick 3-pointer with 53 seconds left after the second, cutting the margin to 63-62.
Then Obasohan missed an off-balance shot against Collins from just inside the line.
Collins got the ball back after a couple of passes and drove toward the basket, drawing the foul.
After the misses, Obasohan took the ball down the court and ran the clock out before the Aggies could foul him.
Alabama had gone ahead 58-47 with 6:34 left on a pair of free throws by both Jimmie Taylor and Justin Coleman before the Aggies' comeback started.
BEATING RANKED TEAMS
Alabama had already beaten then-No. 20 Wichita State, then-No. 17 Notre Dame and then-No. 19 South Carolina.HOUSE-WARMING
House, who came in averaging 15.7 points, didn't score until making two free throws early in the second half after Alabama went ahead by seven. He hit a 3-pointer a minute later and finished with eight rebounds.
HALE RETURNS
Alabama forward Shannon Hale returned after missing two games after aggravating a previous foot injury. He had a couple of 3-pointers after coming off the bench.
TIP INS
Texas A&M: Coach Billy Kennedy is 1-6 against Alabama. ... The Aggies made 14 of 19 free throws in the second half. They were 8 of 17 from 3-point range for the game.
Alabama: Has won the past three meetings. Outrebounded the Aggies 36-29 and made 12 steals.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M visits LSU on Saturday.
Alabama visits Florida on Saturday.
