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Davis, defense lead Texas A&M to fourth straight win

Feb 6, 2008 - 6:28 AM AMES, Iowa (Ticker) -- Bryan Davis scored 16 points and a stingy defense did the rest as No. 18 Texas A&M posted a 69-51 victory over Iowa State in a Big 12 Conference contest on Tuesday.

Davis scored 10 points during a key second-half run and Josh Carter added 12 as the Aggies (19-4, 5-3 Big 12) coasted to their fourth straight win.

Davis also grabbed seven rebounds to help the Aggies snap the Cyclones' nine-game home winning streak.

Since a thrilling 116-110 five-overtime loss to Baylor on January 23, the usually stout defense for Texas A&M has responded in a big way during its winning streak.

The Aggies entered this game allowing 57 points in the past three games, and limited Iowa State (13-10, 3-5) to 35 percent (21-of-59) from the floor.

"I thought the first half we executed our defensive game plan well enough to really keep us in the game," Iowa State coach Greg McDermott said. "Texas A&M plays well together and unselfish. We just had too many guys who finished 1-for-7 and 1-for-8 that had good looks at the basket."

Along with the solid defense, Texas A&M shot 47 percent (27-of-57) from the field and hit 11 of its first 14 shots to open the second half.

That solid shooting led to a 20-7 run that helped break open the game for Texas A&M, which picked up its second road win of the season. Davis had 10 points during the spurt.

The Aggies' only other road win was a 59-56 win over Oklahoma State on January 26, which came on the heels of that memorable loss to Baylor.

Texas A&M, which held a 30-24 lead after 20 minutes, opened up a 50-31 cushion after a jumper by Davis capped the run with 12:40 remaining.

Jiri Hubalek scored 18 points for the Cyclones, who trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

Texas A&M flexed its muscle on the boards, as it outrebounded Iowa State, 35-28, and had five players with at least six rebounds.

The Cyclones were competitive in the first half, but the Aggies closed the half on an 11-2 run to take a 30-24 lead into the locker room.