TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Courtney Walker hit a jumper with 7.3 seconds to play, giving No. 10 Texas A&M the go-ahead points in a 59-56 victory over Alabama in a women’s basketball game at Foster Auditorium.
Walker’s shot gave A&M a 57-56 lead, and marked the second consecutive game that Walker hit a game-tying or game-winning shot in the final minute of regulation. On the ensuing possession, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year Jordan Jones drew a charge with 1.8 seconds left, sealing the victory for A&M, and giving Alabama their second loss in 13 games at home this season. A&M hit two free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
The Aggies (15-5, 5-2 SEC) led by as many as 11 in the first quarter, and did not relinquish the lead until 6:17 in the fourth quarter, when Alabama’s Breanna Hayden made a go-ahead layup. Alabama (13-8, 2-6 SEC) would lead by as many as six with 2:30 to play, before A&M rallied.
Jones’ was the Aggies’ leading scorer with 15 points, and was joined in double figures by Walker (14). Anriel Howard andChelsea Jennings had nine rebounds apiece.
The Aggies have now won 8 of their last 10 games, and have had to come back from large or late deficits in five of the eight wins.
Jordan Jones moved into third place on the Texas A&M career assist list in the game, passing A’Quonesia Franklin (2004-08, 627 assists) with 629 career assists.
The Aggies return home on Sunday, January 31 to host No. 2 South Carolina at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
QUICKIE NOTES
• Texas A&M hands Alabama just their second home loss of the season. Alabama is now 11-2 at home this season.
• The Aggies are now 15-5 on the season and 5-2 in SEC play. Alabama is 13-8 on the season and 2-6 in SEC play
• Texas A&M remains alone in second place in the SEC with a 5-2 record. Sunday’s game against No. 2 South Carolina features the top 2 teams in the SEC Standings
• The Aggies are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Aggies have come back from large or late deficits in five of those eight wins.
• Jordan Jones moved into third on Texas A&M’s career assist list. Jones passed A’Quonesia Franklin (2004-08, 627) and now has 629 career assists.
o Jones scored in double figures for the third straight game, eighth time this season, and 29th time in her career.
• Courtney Walker scored in double figures for the 19th time in 20 games this season and 93rd time in her career. She is second at Texas A&M (since 2000-01) in career double-figure scoring games.
o Her jumper with 7.3 seconds left is her second consecutive game-winning or game-tying shot in the final minute of regulation. She hit 3 FTs with 8.4 seconds left against Missouri to send the game into overtime.
• Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair is now 710-287 in his career and 302-124 in 13 seasons at Texas A&M. Blair is 13th all-time and eighth among active coaches in career wins
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics