No. 20 Texas A&M survives Rutgers, earns 5th-place finish at Players Era Festival with 81-77 win

By W.G. RAMIREZ The Associated Press

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against Texas A&M guard Manny Obaseki (35) and Texas A&M forward Andersson Garcia (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ian Maule]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Wade Taylor IV scored 24 points and No. 20 Texas A&M defeated Rutgers 81-77 Saturday in the fifth-place game of the Players Era Festival. Rutgers overcame a six-point halftime deficit and led by nine with 12:51 left, but the Aggies closed the game on a 27-14 run to seal the win. Solomon Washington, Henry Coleman III and Manny Obaseki added 11 apiece for the Aggies (6-2). Rutgers (5-3) was led by Ace Bailey, who finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds.