Late push lifts Syracuse past No. 25 Texas A&M, 74-67
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) Michael Gbinije had 20 points, Malachi Richardson added 16 and Syracuse held off No. 25 Texas A&M 74-67 on Friday in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game.
Gbinije was selected the tournament's most valuable player. Trevor Cooney added 15 points and also made the all-tournament team.
It is Syracuse's first early season tournament title since the Orange won the 2013 Maui Invitational.
The game was tight throughout the second half and featured nine ties and 12 lead changes.
But after the score was tied at 61, the Orange outscored the Aggies 13-6 over the final 5:38.
Jalen Jones led Texas A&M with 23 points, and Danuel House added 15.
The Aggies led by two at halftime, but struggled to get easy baskets in the final 20 minutes. They finished 7 for 11 from the free throw line.