CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If Texas A&M wanted to buckle in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Aggies had their chance.
Down the stretch in Friday's game, Providence drilled a few timely shots to tie the game and test A&M's resiliency for yet another time this season.
But instead of folding, as many thought the Aggies might do well before March, A&M countered by showing the promise the team carried early in the season. The Aggies pulled away late to beat the Friars 73-69 and cement their spot in the second round of the tournament to face 2-seed North Carolina or 15-seed Lipscomb.