Texas A&M overcame a 17-point second-half deficit to defeat Virginia Tech 68-65 Friday in the first semifinal of the Wooden Legacy basketball tournament.

The Aggies, who did not lead until the 2:03 mark of the second half, will face the winner of the game between Nebraska and No. 14 UCLA later Friday.

Texas A&M (4-1) was led by DJ Hogg with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Admon Gilder added 14 points and seven assists, Robert Williams collected 13 points and nine rebounds, and Tyler Davis and 12 points and 10 boards for the Aggies.

Virginia Tech (4-1) was led by Ahmed Hill with 18 points. All six of his made field goals came from 3-point range. Justin Robinson added 14 points and Seth Allen scored 10.

The Hokies kept the lead early in the second half. Every time A&M cut the deficit, Virginia Tech responded. The Aggies finally went on a run that stuck when they connected on eight straight shots to pull within 57-54 with 8:00 left in the game.

The Hokies responded with a six-point spurt to stretch the lead back to nine points, but the Aggies scored another nine straight and the game was tied at 63-63 with 3:34 left.

After trading misses, Hogg hit a 3-pointer from well beyond the arc to give the Aggies their first lead at 66-63. Zach LeDay converted a dunk to cut the lead to 66-65, but Hogg hit another bucket just before the shot clock buzzer.

Allen missed a tying three-point attempt with nine seconds left. Hogg missed the front end of a one-and-one and Tech rebounded but could not get off another tying attempt.

Virginia Tech finished the first half on a 12-0 run to take a 38-25 lead into intermission. The Aggies went 4:25 without scoring to close the half.

The 3-point line was the biggest difference. The Hokies built their lead with long-range shots. They finished the first half shooting 7 of 15 (47 percent) from behind the arc while the Aggies connected on only 1 of 10.

Hill led the Hokies with nine points, followed by Ty Outlaw and Allen with eight each and Robinson with seven. Davis paced Texas A&M with eight points.