Like last year, we staged a simulation of Thursday’s first round matchup. You’ll recall last season’s simulation resulted in a narrow Penn loss to Texas that seemed unrealistic until the same thing essentially happened in reality. Will this year’s simulation prove to be as accurate? Penn fans certainly hope so.

Pregame introductions and tipoff

First half
Penn jumped out to an 8-4 lead as was as close as 22-18 with a few minutes to go, but a late Texas A&M surge made it a 34-22 game late in the first half, before a wild final 15 seconds prior to halftime.

Second half
The Aggies’ lead hovered between eight and 12 points for most of the second half, with the Quakers getting within six points midway through, only to watch their deficit go right back to 12 with three Texas A&M baskets in a row. Penn trailed 57-47 with just under seven minutes remaining, but an Ibby Jaaber steal and breakaway dunk drew the Quakers within 59-58 and set the stage for Mark Zoller.

Down by five late, the Aggies needed a bucket, while the Quakers were looking for a defensive stop.

The final buzzer and postgame

Penn outscored Texas A&M 22-5 down the stretch to pull out the big comeback victory, 69-62. Jaaber and Zoller tied for the team lead with 16 points apiece, while Brian Grandieri added 10, including eight in the first half to keep Penn alive and the tip-in of Jaaber’s missed free throw to put the game away. Josh Carter was the high scorer for the Aggies with 11 points.