Texas A&M basketball takes care of Valparaiso in blowout win, 71-49

This is surely what Texas A&M basketball coach Billy Kennedy envisioned when newcomers Brandon Mahan, Wendell Mitchell and Christian Mekowulu were added to the roster.

Mahan and Mitchell provided a scoring boost from the perimeter and Mekowulu was a force in the paint as the Aggies (5-4) rolled to a 71-49 college basketball victory over Valparaiso (6-6) on Wednesday night at Reed Arena.

Mekowulu’s hard work inside sparked the Aggies to a big halftime lead and Mahan’s accurate outside shooting ensured they would maintain the advantage in the second half.

Mekewulu, a graduate transfer from Tennessee State, had a season-high 20 points. Mahan, a junior college transfer, hit a trio of 3-pointers en route to also netting a career-high 20 points with 15 coming in the second half.

Mitchell, also a junior college transfer, did a little bit of everything with eight points, nine rebounds and five assists.

“We signed Brandon for his ability to score and shoot the ball,” Kennedy said. “He did some good things defensively. He had his best game of the year shooting.”

“Christian just plays so hard and is so aggressive. He works hard every day, so it was good to see him play as well as he did.”

With them leading the way the Aggies posted their fourth consecutive victory and reclaimed a winning record for the first time since a season-opening 98-83 victory over Savannah State.

The Aggies shot 49.1 percent from the field (26 of 52) and hit nine 3-pointers. They were even better on the defensive end holding Valpo to just 34 percent (18 of 53) shooting. That included limiting the visiting Crusaders to 3 of 22 from 3-point range.

A&M accomplished that without much assistance from starters Savion Flagg and T.J. Starks.

Flagg was scoreless, though he did have a solid defensive effort before exiting in the second half with a leg injury. The severity of it is uncertain.

Meanwhile, Starks, who hit 2 of 8 attempts, played just five minutes in the second half.

“TJ wasn’t good at shoot-around. I don’t know if he was feeling good,” Kennedy said. “We need him to play well. If he’s not ready to play and not playing like he was capable we’re better off having someone else play.”

Mekowulu and Mahan more than picked up that slack.

The Aggies took control early with a 17-2 run over a seven-minute span. That boosted A&M to a 24-7 lead with 8:32 showing in the first half.

Starks started that pivotal run with a 3-pointer from the top-of-the-key. Mitchell followed with a layup off a steal and then Mahan and Mekowulu hit consecutive 3-pointers.

Mekowulu scored a put-back, Josh Nebo got inside for a dunk and Jay Jay Chandler had two free throws in the run.

The margin reached 33-11 on Mekowulu’s spinning layup with three minutes left in the half. The Aggies eventually held a 34-18 lead at the break.

Mekowulu said he was especially motivated to face 7-foot-1 center Derrik Smits, who was leading Valpo with a 13.4 scoring average. Smits was held to eight points.

“I like playing against good post players. That gets me going,” Mekowulu said. “I came in ready to play with the right mentality and stuff went our way.”

That only continued in the second half.

Valpo did mount a mild rally to pull within 45-34 on a Jaume Sorolla’s put-back with 11:41 to play. However, Mahan answers with a 3-pointer.

Three minutes later, the Crusaders pulled within 52-39. Then, Mitchell and John Walker hit back-to-back 3-pointers as A&M outscored Valpo 16-3 over then next four minutes to complete the blowout.

"They played on Monday (a 77-61 loss to Ball State)," Kennedy said of Valpo. "Obviously, we had an advantage. They looked a little fatigued starting out. It definitely helped us being at home.”

"I think they're going to be one of the better teams in the Missouri Valley (conference) this year. It's a good win for us."