Turner showing his versatility with Aggies

When Elston Turner opted to transfer from Washington to Texas A&M in the spring of 2010, wanting to prove he could do more than shoot 3-pointers played a big part in the decision.

Turner got his wish and more after sitting out last season as per NCAA transfer rules. The 6-foot-5 junior shooting guard has had to put all his skills on display with injuries and a midseason transfer depleting A&M's roster..

"In some cases I did expect to do what I'm doing, but not like this because of the three or four injuries and Jamal [Branch] transferring," Turner said.

With the recent injury to junior forward Khris Middleton, more of the scoring burden has fallen on Turner, who also had to serve as backup point guard when Branch transferred in January.

Then Saturday with starting point guard Dash Harris out, Turner started at the point in A&M's 76-61 victory over Oklahoma State.

"I have just been called on to do various things for this team," Turner said. "Bottom line is I just want to do what I can do for the team to win, especially now that we are coming together."

Turner has proven his versatility by filling in at the point, but he's been most valuable by raising his scoring average since becoming A&M's No. 1 scoring option.

"Offensively he's gaining confidence in that role," A&M first-year coach Billy Kennedy said. "Usually when you sit out a year it takes a while to adjust to the team in games. He's made it a smooth transition because of his knowledge and understanding of how to play."

As A&M's leading scorer at 14.7 points a game, Turner has proven he's not just a long-range shooter.

In his two years at Washington, Turner scored 198 of his 305 points (65 percent) on 3-pointers. At A&M, Turner has made 43 treys for 129 of his 294 points, or 44 percent of his scoring.

Overall, Turner has improved his scoring average 3.1 points per game since Jan. 2, the last time A&M played Baylor. The sixth-ranked Bears won that one 61-52 in Waco, and the Brazos River rivals will meet again at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Reed Arena.

Turner's ability to score in the lane hasn't surprised Kennedy.

"We see it in practice," Kennedy said. "When he's getting into the lane that makes him a special player. That's what we've emphasized with him, and he's done a much better job of that the last three or four games. He's not just scoring from the 3-point line. He's scoring in other areas."

By driving the lane, Turner more often is getting to the foul line, where he shoots 83 percent. He has taken 38 of his 62 free throw attempts this season over the last six games, which in turn has helped him set personal highs in scoring two games in a row with 23 and 24 points. He is the first Aggie to score 20 or more points in three straight Big 12 games since Acie Law IV in 2007.

Turner has also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while playing nearly 37 minutes a game over that six-game span.

Turner says two things have helped him entering this season: a year of hard work while redshirting and some extra critiquing from his father Elston Sr., an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns.

"I'd work on stuff that I hadn't worked on in a long time," Turner said. "There would be sometimes during a full workout I didn't shoot at all, just working off the dribble trying to get to the basket. Also, I'd get to lift an extra day or two more than anybody else, and the whole year gave me an opportunity to be better as a basketball player."

Turner admits he has plenty to work on, especially consistency in rebounding and his defense. Those phases of the game tend to take up most of his conversations with his father, who is in charge of the Suns' defense.

"I talk to my dad after every single game, and he will tell me what I did wrong and also what I did well," Turner said. "Now that I'm a little bit older it's more critiquing as being an NBA prospect rather than just a dad trying to coach his son."

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NOTES -- A&M has won 8 of the last 11 games against Baylor at Reed Arena, with the Bears' three wins all coming in overtime, including a five-overtime game in 2008. ... Baylor is the only team in the Big 12 with all five starters scoring in double figures. ... A&M officials said Monday that Middleton and Kourtney Roberson will not play Wednesday. Harris' availability will be a game-time decision; he is nursing a sore arch in his foot. ... Wednesday's game is the last scheduled game between A&M and Baylor, which have played at least twice each year for 81 straight seasons. A&M leads the series 127-77.

Who: Texas A&M (12-8, 3-5) at No. 6 Baylor (19-2, 6-2)

When: 8 p.m., Wednesday

Where: Reed Arena

TV/Radio: ESPN2/WTAW-AM 1620

Baylor (19-2, 6-2)

NameHt.ClassPPGRPG

G Pierre Jackson5-10jr.12.5*6.0

G Brady Heslip6-2so.10.0*1.3

F Perry Jones III6-1so.14.77.9

F Quincy Acy6-7sr.12.66.9

F Quincy Miller6-9fr.12.85.0

Texas A&M (12-8, 3-5)

G Naji Hibbert6-5jr.3.4*2.0

G Elston Turner6-5jr.14.73.5

F Jordan Green6-4fr.3.62.1

F David Loubeau6-8sr.10.94.6

F Keith Davis 6-10so.1.44.0

*assists