COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Interstat) — In a high-octane, back-and-forth offensive showcase, the Texas A&M Aggies outlasted the Montana Grizzlies 86-81 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Reed Arena before a crowd of 6,304.

The game was a tale of two distinct styles, with Montana’s prolific three-point shooting nearly overcoming Texas A&M’s overwhelming dominance in the paint and at the free-throw line. The Aggies built a substantial 45-31 halftime lead by relentlessly attacking the basket, but the Grizzlies mounted a furious second-half comeback behind a barrage of long-range shots, turning a potential blowout into a nail-biter that was decided in the final seconds.

Montana’s offensive strategy was clear from the outset: live and die by the three-pointer. The Grizzlies launched 31 attempts from beyond the arc, connecting on 16 of them for a scorching 51.6 percent. This marksmanship kept them within striking distance even as Texas A&M controlled the interior. The Aggies, by contrast, managed just 7 of 23 from deep but compensated by outscoring Montana 40-18 in the paint and by making 21 of 29 free throws compared to Montana’s 7 of 13.

The game’s efficiency metrics were remarkably close, reflecting the tight nature of the contest. Montana scored 81 points on 67 possessions for an offensive rating of 120.6, while Texas A&M posted 86 points on 72 possessions for a rating of 119.8.

The first half belonged to the Aggies, who used their size and athleticism to establish control. They opened the game on a 17-6 run, fueled by early three-pointers from Rylan Griffen and Ruben Dominguez. Montana struggled to find an offensive rhythm against the Aggies’ defense, which generated six first-half steals and capitalized on 12 Grizzly turnovers to build their 14-point halftime advantage.

The second half, however, saw a dramatic shift. Montana emerged from the locker room with renewed energy and an unwavering commitment to their three-point attack. Brooklyn Hicks, who finished with 18 points, and Money Williams led the charge as the Grizzlies began to chip away at the deficit. The Aggies’ lead, which had once seemed comfortable, dwindled under the constant pressure of Montana’s shooting.

Williams was the catalyst for Montana, scoring 22 points and dishing out seven assists. His backcourt mate, Tyler Isaak, added 13 points and seven assists, consistently finding open shooters against the Aggie defense. Hicks provided a critical scoring punch off the bench with his 18 points, while Te’Jon Sawyer contributed nine points.

Despite Montana’s offensive explosion, Texas A&M had an answer for every run. Griffen, a guard from Dallas, led the Aggies with 17 points, including several key baskets to halt Montana’s momentum. Dominguez from Puerto Real, Spain, was a versatile contributor with 12 points and four assists. The Aggies also received significant production from their frontcourt, with Zach Clemence and Rashaun Agee each adding 10 points. Pop Isaacs also chipped in 10 points and four assists for a balanced Texas A&M scoring effort.

The game was ultimately decided in the final minute. After a furious Montana rally closed the gap to a single possession, the Aggies sealed the victory at the free-throw line. With just one second remaining on the clock and Texas A&M clinging to a one-point lead, Ruben Dominguez stepped to the line and calmly sank the first of two free throws to provide the final margin of victory.

The win improves Texas A&M’s season record to 3-2, while Montana, despite the valiant effort, falls to 4-2. The Aggies’ ability to withstand Montana’s second-half surge and execute in the clutch proved to be the difference in a game that defied the pregame expectations. Texas A&M had been installed as a 15.5-point favorite, and the total score of 167 narrowly surpassed the over/under line of 164.5.

Texas A&M will look to build on the victory when they host Manhattan on Friday. Montana returns home to face Lamar on Sunday.