COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Interstat) — In a dominant season-opening performance, the Texas A&M Aggies overwhelmed the Northwestern State Demons 98 to 68 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Reed Arena.

The Aggies, playing their first game of the 2025-26 season, left little doubt about the outcome from the opening tip, building a commanding 56 to 35 lead by halftime and never relenting. The Demons, who opened their season with the loss, were unable to match the offensive firepower and defensive pressure of their Southeastern Conference opponent.

Texas A&M’s offense operated with ruthless efficiency, scoring 98 points on 81 possessions for an offensive rating of 121.1. In stark contrast, Northwestern State managed just 68 points on 74 possessions, an offensive rating of 91.9. The Aggies’ superior execution was evident across the stat sheet, as they shot 49.3 percent from the floor, making 35 of 71 field goal attempts. They were also effective from beyond the arc, connecting on 11 of 31 three-point attempts.

Northwestern State struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm, shooting 39.7 percent on 23 of 58 shooting from the field. The Demons hit 7 of 20 three-pointers and converted 15 of their 21 free throw attempts.

The Aggies’ depth and versatility were on full display, with six players scoring in double figures. Ruben Dominguez, a guard from Puerto Real, Spain, led all scorers with 18 points in just 19 minutes of action, adding a rebound and two blocked shots. The backcourt duo of Rylan Griffen from Dallas and Josh Holloway from Memphis each contributed 13 points and four assists, facilitating the offense and applying constant defensive pressure.

Texas A&M also received significant contributions from its frontcourt. Rashaun Agee of Chicago posted 12 points and five rebounds, while Jacari Lane of Huntsville, Alabama, added 12 points. Federiko Federiko, the 6-foot-11 center from Helsinki, Finland, anchored the paint with eight points, eight rebounds and a blocked shot, controlling the interior on both ends of the court. Marcus Hill of Rockford, Illinois, chipped in six points, three rebounds, three assists and a block.

For Northwestern State, guard Micah Thomas provided a bright spot, leading the Demons with 28 points in 26 minutes of play. He also recorded one rebound, one assist and one block. Omar Adegbola added 14 points and four rebounds, while Justin Redmond contributed eight points, six rebounds and a team-high four assists.

The Aggies’ defensive intensity was a defining factor, forcing 16 Northwestern State turnovers while committing only 12 of their own. Texas A&M recorded 13 steals, led by a swarming perimeter defense, compared to nine for the Demons. The Aggies also won the battle on the glass, securing 13 offensive rebounds that led to numerous second-chance opportunities.

The game’s result was largely anticipated, as Interstat’s ELO system had projected Texas A&M with a 99.2 percent probability to win.

With the victory, Texas A&M begins its season 1-0 and will look to build on the momentum with a road test against Oklahoma State on Sunday, Nov. 9. The Aggies’ upcoming schedule includes home games against UCF on Nov. 14 and Montana on Nov. 18 before a neutral-site contest against Florida State in Tampa on Nov. 28.

Northwestern State falls to 0-1 and faces a challenging road stretch ahead. The Demons will travel to face North Alabama on Tuesday, Nov. 11, followed by a trip to San Francisco on Nov. 18 and a game at Grand Canyon on Nov. 21. Their next home game at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is not until Nov. 29 against Southern.