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Third-year head coach Rick Cabrera said the game was an early measuring stick for his team and a valuable learning opportunity.
“I’m proud of my guys for the effort,” Cabrera said. “We did some good things, but giving up 98 points is never acceptable. We didn’t guard the way my teams are known to defend. The press bothered us, but it’s a learning experience. One loss doesn’t define us — we’ll bounce back.”
The Aggies (1–0) jumped out to a 6–0 lead before Micah Thomas stopped the run with a step-back 3-pointer at the 18:25 mark. The Demons (0–1) trimmed the margin to three after an Izzy Miles layup and free throw, but A&M’s transition offense and perimeter shooting pushed the lead back into double digits.
Despite strong play from Moustapha Loum and Kordrick Turner, the Aggies closed the first half on a surge to lead 56–35. Texas A&M shot 51 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range in the opening period, converting nine NSU turnovers into 14 points.
Thomas kept the Demons in the game with 18 first-half points, eventually finishing with a career-high 28 on 9-of-16 shooting, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
“Micah carried us and played like a guard who could start for them,” Cabrera said. “Moustapha was phenomenal — he’s an elite athlete at the rim — and Omar played really well. I’m proud of those guys. We just need others to step up and get healthy.”
Omar Adegbola added 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Chris Mubiru hit a 3-pointer and dished out three assists. Justin Redmond provided eight points off the bench, and Loum chipped in six on 3-of-4 shooting.
Texas A&M’s depth proved decisive, outscoring Northwestern State 53–9 in bench points and 48–28 in the paint. The Aggies also turned 18 Demon turnovers into 24 points, pulling away with a 24–6 run midway through the second half.
Cabrera said the game offered perspective on facing elite opponents like A&M’s signature “Bucky Ball” press.
“We’re not going to see another defense like this,” he said. “They scored 48 points in the paint — that’s almost half their total. You can’t win when teams are getting that many layups and twos. But this is how we get better.”
Northwestern State continues its road swing Thursday when it visits North Texas. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Denton.
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