Law injured in exhibition opener
By LARRY BOWEN
Eagle Sports Writer
As much as Texas A&M men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie may like his team's depth, he might have seen more of it than he wanted Wednesday night.
The 13th-ranked Aggies dominated the second half on the way to a 79-54 victory over NCAA Division II Midwestern State before a crowd of 5,751 at Reed Arena.
A&M won its exhibition opener despite playing most of the game without senior point guard Acie Law IV and all of the game without star post player Joseph Jones. Law and Jones are the Aggies' top returning scorers, and both were selected to the preseason all-Big 12 Conference team.
Law was injured less than 5 minutes into the game and watched part of the second half while using crutches to stand near the Aggie bench. Jones was not in uniform because he has been bothered by tendinitis in his knees.
A&M officials said Law suffered a bruised tailbone.
Logan Lee, who replaced Law at point guard, suffered from cramps in both legs and limped off the court in the middle of the second half. He did not return.
Senior forward Marlon Pompey also limped off the court late in the first half, but he played in the second half.
Despite the injuries and a slow start, the Aggies cruised to the victory. Gillispie used 18 players, including two who didn't have their names on their jerseys and weren't entered into the computer system that displayed players' points and fouls on the new scoreboard.
Kirk added 15 points and seven rebounds, hitting 7 of 11 shots.
The Aggies turned a three-point halftime lead into a blowout by outscoring the Mustangs, 51-29, in the second half. A&M made 19 of 29 shots in the second half, scoring on eight consecutive possessions while pulling away.
Law took a hard fall when he was fouled on a driving layup attempt less than 5 minutes into the game. The happy crowd was quiet as Law could be heard moaning in pain before being helped from the court.
Law was treated near the bench for a few minutes before heading to the dressing room, through playing for the night.
Kavaliauskas and Lee assumed much of the scoring responsibilities on offense. Kavaliauskas, who developed into one of the team's top players last season, worked effectively near the basket.
Lee, a transfer guard who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third game last year, hit a pair of 3-pointers while playing 17 minutes in the first half, more than he played before getting injured last season. Lee finished with seven points.
Eric Dawson split A&M's interior defense for nine points as the Mustangs stayed within 28-25 at halftime. Dawson led Midwestern State with 14 points.
A small but loud group of Mustang fans cheered for the team from Wichita Falls, but the Aggie fans drowned them out.
The fans behind the north basket started the game in midseason form, as Mustang players twice missed free throws when the fans jumped up in unison as the players shot.
The Aggies will play their final exhibition against Lithuanian Academy at 8:30 p.m. Friday as part of a doubleheader. The A&M women will open their exhibition season at 6 p.m. against Athletes In Action.
• Larry Bowen's e-mail address is [email protected].
Went to game last night and I really like the Freshman players that the Aggies recruited. Davis is going to be a stud for sure. Elonu and Roland looked really good too. Elonu and Davis block every shot that is near them. I hope Acie will recuperate quickly, because they will need him to be 100% to do any good this year, for sure.
The scoreboard is great, big props to A%M to upgrade a needed element to Reed.
I know 1st hand, tailbone bruises don't go away will treatment. The only cure is lots of time. He's going to feel that all season.
Acie is probably out for a few weeks...too bad, they will need him to compete with LSU and UCLA.
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