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Texas A&M upends No. 17 Auburn

Texas A&M v Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 4: Head Coach Buzz Williams of the Texas A&M Aggies on the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on January 4, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Aggies 69-59. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

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AUBURN, Ala. — Josh Nebo scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Texas A&M survived a frenetic last-minute rally attempt to upset No. 17 Auburn 78-75 on Wednesday night.

Wendell Mitchell added 14 points and a key 3-pointer to help the Aggies (15-14, 9-8 Southeastern Conference) pick up their fifth league road win.

Samir Doughty scored 25 points for the Tigers (25-5, 12-5 Southeastern Conference), who wiped out most of a nine-point deficit over the final 46 seconds as Texas A&M struggled at the free-throw line.

J’Von McCormick buried a contested 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left to make it 77-75. Savion Flagg made the second of two free throws before Danjel Purifoy’s potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
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Texas A&M missed two free throws over the final 16 seconds, but otherwise did enough.

Auburn, a 12 1/2-point favorite, was trying to finish the season unbeaten at home for the first time since 1998-99. The Tigers have already secured a double bye in next week’s SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nebo made 9 of 12 shots before fouling out with 1:42 remaining in the game. Jay Jay Chandler and Flagg scored 14 apiece for the Aggies, while Mitchell had seven rebounds and four assists.

Doughty made five 3-pointers and was 10 of 11 on free throws for Auburn. Austin Wiley scored 15 points before fouling out and Isaac Okoro also had 15.

Mitchell worked off most of the shot clock before burying a contested 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 75-67 lead with 1:13 left. Flagg made 1 of 2 free throws with 46 seconds left to push the lead to nine.

Purifoy then made a 3-pointer and stole the inbounds pass to keep Auburn alive. Doughty cut it to 76-72 on a pair of free throws with 20 seconds left.

There was drama early in the second half when officials called three technical fouls in a 17-second span.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl and his assistant, son Steven, were both called for technicals protesting a foul call. The elder Pearl continued jawing at the official through much of a timeout.

Mitchell made all for foul shots four a 41-38 Aggies lead. Shortly thereafter, Texas A&M’s Chandler was called for a technical for flopping trying to draw a foul.

BIG PICTURE

Texas A&M snapped a two-game losing streak while facing the SEC’s top three teams: Kentucky, LSU and Auburn. The Aggies are 5-0 in Auburn Arena.

Auburn had won its first 16 at home. The Tigers made 10 of 30 3-pointers (33.3%).

HOME FINALE

It was the final home game for seven Auburn seniors, including starters Doughty, Wiley, McCormick and Purifoy. They’re the winningest senior class in Auburn history with 98 victories.

UP NEXT

Texas A&M hosts Arkansas Saturday afternoon in the regular-season finale.

Auburn visits Tennessee to close the regular season.