Live from Columbia: Wade Taylor IV and Texas A&M Stay Hot with Road Win Over South Carolina
No. 13 Texas A&M fought off a late push from South Carolina to secure a 76-72 victory at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday. And after the game, the SEC Network crew had just one burning question for Aggies guard Wade Taylor IV:
How deep is too deep for a three-pointer?
Taylor (with a grin): “That’s a really good question. I really need to ask [head coach Buzz Williams], and I’ll get back to you guys.”
The real answer? Somewhere on the outskirts of Charlotte.
Taylor’s Three-Point Barrage Powers A&M
Taylor caught fire, drilling 7-of-10 from deep, tying his career high in made three-pointers. He finished with a game-high 25 points, with every one of his field goals coming from beyond the arc.
Game Rundown: How A&M Got It Done

The Aggies (17-5, 6-3 SEC) once again started hot offensively, with all nine players who saw the floor in the first half scoring. Led by Taylor’s 15 first-half points, A&M built a 44-36 lead at the break, matching their highest-scoring first half in SEC play (previously set against Alabama on Jan. 11).
But as has been the case in recent games, A&M had to weather a second-half surge. South Carolina (10-12, 0-9 SEC) went on an 11-0 run, holding A&M scoreless for over five minutes and cutting the lead to just two points.
Despite the Gamecocks’ push, the Aggies held firm. South Carolina cut the lead to two again with two seconds left, but A&M closed it out at the free-throw line.
Buzz Williams: “This is what it’s going to be… There’s a calmness in that competition and a liberating freedom that, ‘Yeah, this is what we knew.’ There’s not an anxiousness.”
Key Numbers That Defined the Game
- A&M capitalized on turnovers, scoring 19 points off 12 South Carolina giveaways.
- The Aggies dominated from the free-throw line, going 21-of-30.
- A&M edged South Carolina on the boards, 32-29.
- From deep? The Aggies shot 48% from three—their second-best performance of the season, trailing only the 52% mark against Texas.
Who Stood Out?
- Wade Taylor IV – 7 three-pointers, 25 points (matching his NCAA Tournament performance vs. Nebraska last season).
- Henry Coleman III – 12 points, 8 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence.
- Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina) – Led the Gamecocks with 22 points and 7 rebounds.
Aggies Shine in Close Games
A&M now boasts a 7-3 record in games decided by single digits, ranking 15th nationally and best among Power Conference teams, per BartTorvik.com.
What’s Next?
At the midway point of SEC play, A&M stands 6-5 in Quadrant I games and 6-0 in Quadrant II games. They’re tied for fourth nationally in Quadrant I wins (six), sitting behind Kentucky (7-5), Oregon (8-4), and Auburn (13-1).
The Aggies get a mid-week break before heading to Missouri (17-4, 6-2 SEC) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for another key road test.