Feb. 24, 2007

Final Stats

Huntsville, Ala. -

Mickell Gladness did something no one else in the history of NCAA Division I college basketball has done Saturday night. The 6-11 junior, who already leads the nation in blocked shots, swatted 16 Texas Southern attempts in a 79-73 victory breaking the NCAA single-game mark of 14 held by David Robinson (Navy), Shawn Bradley (BYU), Roy Rogers (Alabama), and Loren Woods (Arizona). As a team the Bulldogs had 21 blocked shots, tying the NCAA record held by the 1993 Georgetown Hoyas. In the process, A&M snapped a seven-game Southwestern Athletic Conference losing streak. Gladness also finished with 13 rebounds and seven points.

On a night when Mickell's older brother Julian Gladness was honored along with Johnnie Brown, the only two seniors on what is arguably the youngest team in the country, the Bulldogs managed a little of the magic that has eluded them much of the season.  A&M has lost six conference games by a combined 12 points, but held off a Texas Southern rally that got as close as two points with 1:58 to play.  The Bulldogs led by as much as 16 (62-46) with 5:20 to play.

Cornelius Hester's 22 points led the way for A&M, and Evan Hilton hit 5-7 free throws to ice the game.  Hilton finished with 13.  Trant Simpson added 11 and Jonathan Inman 10.

Texas Southern got a double-double from Chris Moore with 13 points and 13 rebounds.  Sollie Norwood led the Tigers with 15, and Jaques Jones added 13.  Leonta Matthews had a game-high 14 rebounds.  Texas Southern shot just 27 percent from the floor.