COLLEGE STATION- No. 12 Texas A&M extended its home winning streak to 14 straight games with a 78-45 win over Auburn in a women’s basketball game at Reed Arena on Sunday.
The Aggies (17-5, 5-3 SEC) stormed out of the gates with a 17-4 run in the game’s first nine minutes, holding Auburn (9-13, 0-9 SEC) to one make in their first 10 field goal attempts. The Aggies led 39-17 at halftime after Courtney Williams hit a 3-pointer to beat the first half buzzer.
Texas A&M shot 55.4% in the second half, scoring on 16 of the 27 times they let it go from the field in the period. The Aggies outscored Auburn 39-28 in the second half to coast to victory.
Courtney Williams led all scorers with a season-high 23 points. She was joined in double figures by Courtney Walker, who had 13 points and a season-high seven rebounds. Taylor Cooper scored eight points, including two 3-pointers.
Jordan Jones led the Aggies with 10 assists, her fifth 10+ assist game this season.
The Aggies return to action on Feb. 5 at Missouri, with tip set for 8 p.m. on the SEC Network. Texas A&M returns to Reed Arena on Feb. 12 to host Arkansas at 8 p.m.
QUICKIE NOTES
- Texas A&M has won 14 straight home games and 26 of 28 home games, dating back to last season.
- The Aggies are now 113-3 against unranked foes at home since Feb. 2005
- Courtney Williams had a season-high 23 points. It is her fourth 20+ point game of the season and 12th of her career.
- Williams is now 44 points away from becoming the 27th Aggie with 1,000 career points
- Williams had double figures in points for the 13th time this season and fourth straight game.
- Jordan Jones passed Donna Roper (1985-89, 481) for fifth on Texas A&M’s career assist list. Jones now has 489 assists for her career. Current Video Coordinator Sydney Colson (2007-11) is next up on the career assist list with 504.
- Jones had 10+ assists for the fifth time this season and the 15th time in her career. She leads the SEC in assists.
- Courtney Walker scored in double figures for the 18th time in 22 games this season and 66th time in her career
- Walker had a season-high seven rebounds
- Texas A&M led from wire-to-wire, it’s first such win since Dec. 7.
- Gary Blair is now 689-277 in his career and is 281-114 at Texas A&M. He needs 11 more wins to become the 15th Division I coach with 700 career wins.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Texas A&M Head Coach Gary Blair
Opening statement…
“We needed this game. We’ve needed this game. It’s been so long since I’ve gone into half time and didn’t have to yell at them or change defenses. It’s been a long time. I think our kids responded. When [Jordan Jones] just has that leadership- some of it’s quiet, some of it’s swag. That’s what she had today. The Courtneys [Walker and Williams] both shot over 50%. That’s what we have to have from both of them. Khaalia [Hillsman] had a couple easy baskets that built up her confidence. Rachel [Mitchell] came in and did some nice things. Jada finished it off. Auburn is down. They’re 0-9. She’s got a young team… This was just a ball game where we knew we had to be up. We’ve been on the road and now we’re fixing to go back on the road. Our bench played extremely well. Sometimes when we have blowout games, it’s shoot first, pass second. They played with a “we” not an “I”.”
On the momentum today’s win gives…
“It sure helped my momentum, and that’s important to me right now. I just want to relax and have a good time. I want my kids to do that too. We’ll take tomorrow off. Kelly Bond did a great job of preparing our team for this game. This was her scout. She had it down pat. A lot of times it isn’t the head coach; it’s preparation by the assistant coaches. They get the work done, but sometime they’re never given the credit they deserve.”
Texas A&M Junior Courtney Williams
On this game getting the team back on track…
“Yeah, I think it was a great way to get back on track after two losses. The way we started off the deficit, thirst points, getting our bench in getting them some playing time getting them some experiences. The last two games were not good because we didn’t execute. But this game I think we really executed. First half against South Carolina we executed but then it kind of died down. I don’t think if it was because we were fatigue or what it was but I think this game really gave us some confidence going further into conference. Telling us that we can finish third or fourth in conference.”
After losing two games in a row…
“Yeah and we had a lecture meeting yesterday telling each other that we really needed energy, and that we need to pick it up. Whatever it was, we need to come together as a team. Because we are one of the best teams in the country and everybody thinks that. We just weren’t showing it so I think we need to show that and start off with energy just like we did. Get the bench in and get them some experience. And they just bring us energy off the bench.”
Texas A&M Sophomore Taylor Cooper
On the team getting ahead and the bench getting to play….
“I mean it does a lot for us. First off, it gives those three a break. They can’t play the 40 minutes a game all the time for the rest of the year. Coach Blair is very big on the next man up. Depending on how you practice is if you’re going to get to play or not. I think we’ve had a good last few days of practice since the South Carolina game. I think that gave our bench a lot of confidence going into the next games.”
On a win after two losses…
“We just hope it’s going to start a streak. Last year, I think it started after our loss at Vanderbilt. We just want to start a streak. It’s a new streak for us, and hopefully we can keep it going. For us as a team, it’s just a lot of confidence. Losing those two games gave us a lot of motivation and kind of lit a fire under us, because it’s embarrassing to lose by 20 points for a few games. I think we’re just kind of tired of it so I think that just kind of lit a fire under us.”
Auburn Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy
On the Physicality of the game…
“If you look out our team our most physical player is Tra’Cee Tanner. I thought Tra’Cee did a very good job in there finding an opportunity. It’s a very physical game Texas A&M is very big and we got freshmen both Jazmine and Asia out there. They will get better. They’ll get beat up but they’ll get better.”
On Missing layups …
“We do that a lot, it’s pretty common for us. I thought Tra’Cee [Tanner] rushed a few. We just have to take our time and make those layups. I think if we make those layups in the beginning, Texas A&M doesn’t win by that margin.”
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics