CROOME: Holmes steps forward

  • By RICHARD CROOME
  • Posted: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A

B.J. Holmes had a senior moment.


It had nothing to do with forgetting where he had put something or saying something embarrassing.


No, this was entirely a moment where a senior steps up and says, "This is my show, my time."


Holmes' 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to send A&M into overtime at Colorado was all about a senior taking a situation into his own hands for the good of his team.


After assuring his coach he would come through, the 5-foot-11 sharpshooter calmly swished the 27-footer to help turn the season around for the Aggies, who despite a splendid start were only seconds away from losing a fourth straight game and dropping below .500 in the Big 12.


Colorado never recovered, and the Aggies won 73-70.


Holmes' heroics were reminiscent of two seasons ago when then-senior Josh Carter helped the Aggies get into the NCAA Tournament by draining a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Nebraska, 57-55, in Lincoln.


"We were fighting for our NCAA life I guess more so when Josh made his shot," A&M coach Mark Turgeon said. "But I think B.J.'s hopefully will have the same impact on this team that Josh's jump shot did at Nebraska. I don't think there's any question it's given us a lot of confidence and given us a chance to hopefully have a pretty good season."


It's not all about one shot, though. With the Aggies season heading the way of the NIT in 2009, Carter put up 11 points, a game-high nine rebounds and two steals. Eight of his points came after the Aggies fell behind 47-30.


Last week, Holmes -- who also sent the Alabama game two years ago into OT with a big shot -- put up similar numbers against Colorado. He had 13 points on just four shots and added five rebounds.


Holmes is not alone in taking matters into his own hands. Senior forward Nate Walkup had 17 points and eight rebounds against Colorado, then followed it up with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the 70-67 win at Texas Tech.


Holmes added 14 points and five rebounds against Tech. Senior Andrew Darko also pitched in, contributing five points, three rebounds, two blocks and two assists in 16 minutes. Going into the game, Darko averaged about 10 minutes per contest.


"You look at our seniors that played Saturday -- Darko and Nate and B.J. -- they all had really good games," Turgeon said. "[They see the] light at the end of the tunnel, [they] know it's about over. They all three are playing with great confidence."


With the two key road games behind them and in the win column, No. 21 A&M (19-5, 6-4) is third in the Big 12 heading in the final six games of the regular season. Three of those are at home against teams in the lower division of the standings.


Holmes and Walkup have each raised their scoring average a point since shouldering a bigger role on the court when the Aggies started to slide. It doesn't sound like much, but at this time of year -- as essentially the third and fourth options when plays are called -- that's quite an achievement.


It's also a feat that isn't going unnoticed.


"The way Nate and B.J. are playing commands respect from their teammates," Turgeon said. "Those guys are just giving it everything they have."


*


NOTES -- Wednesday game against Iowa State (14-11, 1-9), which tips off at 7 p.m. at Reed Arena, is Military Appreciation Night. All veterans and active military personnel are eligible to receive two free tickets to the game and can purchase additional tickets for $10. Claim tickets at tickets.12thmanfoundation.com. The team will be wearing camouflage jerseys, which will be auctioned off following the game at AggieAthletics.com. Proceeds will benefit the USO. ... Iowa State's Diante Garrett is one of the Big 12's premier players, averaging 17.7 points per game (fifth in the Big 12) and 5.8 assists (first).




TEXAS A&M BASKETBALL


* Wednesday's game: Iowa St. (14-11, 1-9 Big 12) at No. 21 Texas A&M (19-5, 6-4), 7 p.m.


* TV/radio: CWBCS, Ch. 8/WTAW, 1620 AM



LINEUPS


IOWA STATE (14-11, 1-9 BIG 12)


PLAYERPOS.HT.WT.CL.PPGRPG


Jordan RaileyC6-11245Fr.2.21.6


Melvin EjimF6-6215Fr.10.97.0


Darion AndersonG6-2205 Sr. 11.97.7


Scott ChristophersonG6-3195Jr. 14.33.1


Diante GarrettG6-4190Sr.17.75.8*


TEXAS A&M (19-5, 6-4)


PLAYERPOS.HT.WT.CL.PPGRPG


Dash HarrisG6-1175Jr.4.13.4*


B.J. HolmesG1755-11Sr.10.13.2*


Nate WalkupF6-7210Sr.10.95.9


Khris MiddletonF6-7215So.15.04.8


David LoubeauF6-8230Jr.10.85.2


*assists

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