News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
The Texas A&M women’s basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to Auburn in the first round of the SEC Tournament, 50-49, Wednesday night inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Aggies (14-12, 7-9 SEC) were led by Ny’Ceara Pryor who recorded a season-high 25 points, shooting 9-of-17 from the field and recording four assists and six steals. Pryor’s six steals was the program record for an SEC Tournament game.
The Aggies found themselves with an early deficit, 9-4, at the 5:07 mark in the first quarter. Pryor would go on to score five of her seven total points in the quarter to bring the Maroon & White within one as they trailed Auburn (15-16, 3-13 SEC) at the end of the period, 12-11.
Pryor pushed the Aggies ahead in the second, recording five points, including a 3-pointer, to give the Aggies a 16-13 advantage with 7:47 remaining. Auburn responded with a 10-5 run to end the quarter to regain the lead, 23-21, going into the break. Pryor’s 12 points three assists and two steals paced the Maroon & Whites efforts at the half.
The Tigers were able to extend their lead to seven, making it a 32-25 ballgame at the 6:12 mark in the third. A four-point spark from the Aggie offense was led by Emerald Parker who cut the deficit to three, 34-31, with 3:35 left in the period. Pryor knotted things up at 36 with a circus shot from beyond the arc with 55 seconds on the clock but Auburn responded in the final seconds to take a 38-36 advantage into the final quarter of play.
Lemyah Hylton got the fourth quarter jump started with five quick points, highlighted by a 3-pointer, to boost the Aggies to their first lead since the first half, 41-38. Auburn would tie the game at 43-43 as the two teams would go back and forth in the final minutes. The Maroon & White took the lead, 49-48, after Janae Kent sank two free throw attempts with 11 seconds left but Auburn responded by hitting the game sealing shot to win the game, 50-49.
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show takes place Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. on ESPN. During the broadcast, the 68-team field will be announced along with game times and dates to follow.