News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M women’s basketball team held Syracuse 32 points below its season scoring average in Wednesday’s 57-45 victory over the Orange inside Reed Arena.
Texas A&M (5-4) limited Syracuse to 27.4% (17-of-62) shooting from the field, including 17.6% (3-of-17) from long range.
On the offensive end, the Aggies made 13-of-26 (50.0%) field goals in the second half, including 9-of-15 (60.0%) in the third quarter, after making just 9-of-28 (32.1%) in the first half.
With the win, the Maroon & White have triumphed in their two SEC-ACC Challenge games by an average margin of 18 points.
Taliyah Parker and Jana Kent both registered career highs with 14 points. Parker made 6-of-9 (66.7%) from the field, including 2-of-3 from distance. She added five rebounds, two steals and an assist. Kent hit 5-of-9 (55.6) from the floor, including 2-of-4 on 3-pointers.
Aicha Coulibaly added 11 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two assists. Sahara Jones contributed eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The outcome was still in the balance with 4:00 remaining and A&M up 47-45, but a 3-pointer and jumper by Kent sparked the Aggies who scored the last 10 points of the game.
Syracuse (4-5) led 15-10 after the first quarter. The Orange started the game on a 7-0 run. But the teams traded buckets over the last 5:07 of the period. Parker paced the Aggies with five points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining.
After briefly falling behind by nine points, the Aggies sank baskets on three consecutive trips down the court, including a jumper and 3-pointer by Kent, to cut the deficit to 20-18 at the midway point of the second quarter. The teams traded buckets the rest of the half and Syracuse went into the locker room up 26-24.
Texas A&M surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Orange 21-11. Coulibaly made a pair of jumpers coming out of the intermission, giving the Aggies their first lead of the game at the 8:33 mark. The Maroon & White would not relinquish the advantage the remainder of the game. Syracuse trailed by just two with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter, but the Aggies closed out on an 8-2 run to take a 45-37 edge into the break.
The Aggies return to the court Sunday, Dec. 8 as they take on No. 13 Kansas State inside Reed Arena at 3 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
RECORDS & SERIES NOTES
The Aggies are now 2-2 against Syracuse Orange all-time.
Joni Taylor’s career record moves to 173-112 all-time and to 32-37 in her three seasons with the Aggies.
TEAM NOTES
The Aggies shot 60% (9-of-15) in the third quarter and 50% (13-of-26) in the second half after shooting 32.1% (9-of-28) in the first half.
The Texas A&M defense held Syracuse 32.1 points below its season scoring average (77.1).
The Maroon & White scored the last 10 points of the game over the last 3:40 of the fourth quarter.
The Aggies held the Orange to their season low of 27.1% (17-62) shooting.
There was only one lead change in the game – when the Aggies went ahead on a Coulibaly jumper with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter.
The Maroon & White are now 2-0 in SEC-ACC Challenge Games, dating back to last season.
The Aggies held the Orange to 45 points for the first time since Feb. 22, 2024, when they fell to Duke, 45-58.
Texas A&M began with a starting lineup of Lauren Ware, Solè Williams, Janae Kent, Sahara Jones and Aicha Coulibaly (4-3).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Taliyah Parker
Poured in 14 points, breaking her career high of 13 while shooting 6-of-9 (66.7%).
Janae Kent
Scored a career-best 14 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field.
Solè Williams
Came up one rebound shy (3) of matching her career high.
Aicha Coulibaly
Grabbed a season-high nine rebounds.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Joni Taylor
On the team fighting back after a slow start…
“It was a terrible start to the game. It looked like we were out of sync from not playing. We had been off for a while, and although we practiced, we still had some miscues. Our pace wasn’t good offensively or defensively. We called a timeout to address those things and settled in late in the first quarter. I thought we closed the first quarter well and we remained steady. The third quarter was huge for us because Syracuse plays really well in the third quarter. I thought we ended the game really well.”
On Janae Kent and Taliyah Parker registering career-high performances…
“Janae had a great week of practice. She came back from the Bahamas with a different focus. I think she just continues to raise the bar and I’m happy she was able to benefit from the work she put in this week. Taliyah is a dynamic freshman. She’s fun to watch, she can absolutely score the basketball, and she defends. When you are subbing in with Janae, Taliyah and [Aicha Coulibaly], we can continue to keep coming at that position with great size. Overall, I was really happy to see both of them play well.”
Sophomore Janae Kent
On her preparation after returning from the Bahamas…
“After the Bahamas, I had to take a look in the mirror and figure out what I wanted this year to look like for me and for this team. I knew I had to take a bigger step, and when I got back, I immediately went to the gym just trying to get better for my teammates. I know this team needs me to be at 100% and be healthy, so I changed my mindset and tried to just be who I really am.
Freshman Taliyah Parker
On the win and recording a career-high 14 points…
“This win was very important. Both teams were 4-4, so we knew the mindset that both teams were coming in with. We took pride in the little things that we do to prepare. With my confidence and my teammates’ confidence, they know when I get the ball I go to the basket. My teammates trust me, so I am very thankful for them.”