Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics
Collins Lifts Aggies to Victory in Final European Exhibition
Aug 22, 2015 | Men's Basketball
ATHENS – Graduate transfer Anthony Collins hit a contested lay-up with just 4.6 seconds remaining to secure a 71-69 exhibition win for Texas A&M over Serbian-based Mega Leks on Saturday in Athens.
"That was the best game we've played and it came against a team that was well-prepared," Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said. "I really liked how our guys talked and communicated. We were put in some special situations and got good effort from everybody. It was also nice to see Anthony Collins get more comfortable in what we're doing, he was much more aggressive offensively. Tonight was a great team win to go home on."
A tight affair throughout, the Aggies led by as many as six points during the second half before a long 3-pointer by Mega Leks tied the game at 69-69 with just 58 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After the Aggies failed to score on their ensuing possession, a Mega Leks turnover set the scene for Collins' heroics.
Following an A&M timeout, Collins received the inbounds pass and after surveying the court attacked the basket to covert a driving attempt from the right side and give the game its final score.
"Coach just told me to be aggressive and look for my shot," Collins said. "I was able to beat my guy and get a good look at the basket."
The Houston native finished with 10 points in the contest.
A final timeout by Mega Leks gave the Serbian squad the ball at mid-court, but a pressing Aggie defense allowed only a weak, off-balance shot attempt as the final buzzer sounded.
Senior Jalen Jones and freshman Admon Gilder shared top-point honors for the Aggies with 14 points apiece, while rookie center Tyler Davis contributed 10 on the night.
"This has been a great trip all the way around," Kennedy added. "We were able to win three games and play some good teams. Our guys have handled themselves well on this trip. The relationships they are building are going to be something they remember the rest of their lives."
Texas A&M completed its European tour with a 3-1 record, the only blemish coming against the Nigeria National Team during the Aggies' first competition on the continent. The team concludes its 10-day European tour by returning to the United States on Sunday.
"That was the best game we've played and it came against a team that was well-prepared," Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said. "I really liked how our guys talked and communicated. We were put in some special situations and got good effort from everybody. It was also nice to see Anthony Collins get more comfortable in what we're doing, he was much more aggressive offensively. Tonight was a great team win to go home on."
A tight affair throughout, the Aggies led by as many as six points during the second half before a long 3-pointer by Mega Leks tied the game at 69-69 with just 58 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After the Aggies failed to score on their ensuing possession, a Mega Leks turnover set the scene for Collins' heroics.
Following an A&M timeout, Collins received the inbounds pass and after surveying the court attacked the basket to covert a driving attempt from the right side and give the game its final score.
"Coach just told me to be aggressive and look for my shot," Collins said. "I was able to beat my guy and get a good look at the basket."
The Houston native finished with 10 points in the contest.
A final timeout by Mega Leks gave the Serbian squad the ball at mid-court, but a pressing Aggie defense allowed only a weak, off-balance shot attempt as the final buzzer sounded.
Senior Jalen Jones and freshman Admon Gilder shared top-point honors for the Aggies with 14 points apiece, while rookie center Tyler Davis contributed 10 on the night.
"This has been a great trip all the way around," Kennedy added. "We were able to win three games and play some good teams. Our guys have handled themselves well on this trip. The relationships they are building are going to be something they remember the rest of their lives."
Texas A&M completed its European tour with a 3-1 record, the only blemish coming against the Nigeria National Team during the Aggies' first competition on the continent. The team concludes its 10-day European tour by returning to the United States on Sunday.
Players Mentioned
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