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Texas A&M holds off Providence 73-69 in NCAA West 1st round

Texas A&M’s Admon Gilder (3) and Providence’s Alpha Diallo (11) chase a loose ball during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 16, 2018. (Bob Leverone / AP)
By Aaron Beard Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Admon Gilder scored 18 points to help Texas A&M hold off Providence 73-69 in Friday’s first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Robert Williams and Tyler Davis both had double-doubles for the Aggies (21-12), the No. 7 seed in the West Region. The teams were tied at 50 with about 9 minutes left but Texas A&M responded with a 12-2 run to finally wrestle control away from the Friars.

Gilder hit a straightaway 3 with 2:49 left to cap that flurry for a 62-52 lead.

Davis had 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Williams added 13 points and 14 boards – including a highlight-reel windmill dunk with 39.2 seconds left as the Aggies did just enough to put it away.

Rodney Bullock scored 22 points with three 3-pointers for 10th-seeded Providence (21-14), which shot 44 percent but never recovered from A&M’s critical-moment burst.