Roddy Gayle Jr.’s season-high 26 points propels Michigan Basketball past Texas A&M

Roddy Gayle Jr. took over in the second half, scoring 12 straight points and finishing with a season-high 26 points to help Michigan beat Texas A&M and advance to the Sweet Sixteen:

Despite trailing by double digits in the second half, the Michigan Wolverines stormed back and secured a 91-79 win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Roddy Gayle Jr. took over in the second half, scoring 12 straight points to turn a 61-57 deficit into a 70-69 lead with six minutes left. Gayle racked up a season-high 26 points, including a 20-point second-half outburst.

Vlad Goldin continued his dominant play, recording 20+ points for a ninth time in the last 12 games, en route to having 23 points and 12 rebounds. Danny Wolf totaled 15 points and nine rebounds, while L.J. Cason added 11 points off the bench.

Michigan held a 48-39 rebound advantage to go along with 42 points in the paint, 39 bench points and just nine turnovers. The magical March run is alive and well as the Wolverines advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2022.

FIRST HALF

Texas A&M held a 7-6 advantage at the first media timeout, but the Wolverines quickly responded with an 8-1 spurt. Cason came off the bench and fueled the run by knocking down a three-pointer, and recording consecutive assists to Wolf.

The Aggies answered, though, as Andersson Garcia made two straight triples to tie it at 17-17. Texas A&M grabbed a 29-23 lead before Gayle threw down a dunk and hit a three-point shot to help Michigan get back within striking distance.

Goldin connected on a pair of free throws to give the Wolverines a 35-34 lead with 2:18 remaining in the half. Texas A&M finished the half on a 5-0 run to take a 39-35 edge into halftime after Michigan missed seven consecutive shots.

It was a competitive half that included six ties and seven lead changes. Notably, the Wolverines held Texas A&M leading scorer Wade Taylor IV to zero points in the half. However, Michigan wasn’t able to limit Pharrel Payne, as the big man racked up 14 points.

SECOND HALF

Taylor came out energized to start the half by scoring back-to-back buckets to give Texas A&M its largest lead (51-41) of the game. It appeared the Aggies might be able to run away with it, but the Wolverines found a way to fight back.

Gayle drilled a triple, Wolf finished a layup and Cason hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 60-55 with 12:38 left. On the following possession, the Wolverines made a fifth straight shot as Cason’s layup trimmed the Aggies lead to 61-57.

Michigan continued to battle back as Gayle scored 12 straight points, sinking a three-pointer to trim the deficit to 70-69 and hitting two free throws on the next possession to give the Wolverines their first lead of the second half with 6:08 to go.

Goldin got into the mix as well, recording eight consecutive points to cap off a 13-2 run and extend the lead to 79-72. Tre Donaldson made a huge bucket in the final minute and Gayle hit four free throws to put the final touches on the win.

UP NEXT

Michigan will face the top overall seed in the Auburn Tigers in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday, March 28 in Atlanta.