Texas A&M fan hits shot to win $1,000, Buzz Williams offers to double the reward
Texas A&M fans had plenty to cheer about on Saturday during a game against Florida, with the basketball team led by head coach Buzz Williams putting together an impressive second-half comeback and a lucky fan winning $1,000 with a miracle shot from halfcourt at halftime.
A fan wearing jean overalls stepped up to the halfcourt line during the break and jumped from the Texas A&M logo as she fired toward the rim.
The shot caromed off the backboard and went in, earning her the prize of $1,000 for hitting the shot. Only this lucky fan might well take home significantly more prize money than that.
Williams heard about the made shot after the game — and likely heard the eruption from the crowd while he was coaching his team up at halftime — and offered to double her reward.
“I knew something entertaining was going on,” Williams said, according to TexasAgs.com. “$1,000? That’s all we can give them? If she’s listening, come see me and I’ll match the gift from Texas A&M.”
That’s one heck of a way to treat your fanbase and one that will go a lot farther for Buzz Williams than the extra $1,000 from his pocket would. A fitting touch on a day when Williams’ team was near-perfect down the stretch in holding on for a 67-66 win over Florida.
You can check out the fan’s terrific shot below.
Texas A&M closes out Florida late
Florida led 40-34 at halftime, but it could have been a significantly larger lead. Texas A&M pulled closer with the final shot before halftime, when guard Tyrece Radford hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
That kept the game a little closer, and the Aggies built some momentum from there.
The game really changed when Texas A&M started challenging Florida’s shooters a bit more, especially relying on the three-quarter press to disrupt Florida’s rhythm.
And Radford and company got hot when it mattered, with Radford finishing with 26 points in the game. Fellow guard Wade Taylor IV scored 15 in the game, while forward Solomon Washington scored 10.
Texas A&M held on down the stretch despite making just two of its last 11 field goal attempts, in part because of a big disparity in free throws shot during the game. Texas A&M shot 24 free throws, while Florida shot just 11.