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Gary Blair
Jones, CWs
VU's Balcomb, Bowe
Texas A&M Women's Basketball

WBB: Jones' 15 assists lead A&M to 75-61 victory over Vanderbilt

January 2, 2015
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It’s not easy to outsmart a Vanderbilt Commodore. Friday night’s women’s basketball contest proved it’s not exactly easy to outscore them either.

However, the fifth-ranked Aggies proved to be up to the test and knocked off their foes from Nashville 75-61 in the season’s first conference game at Reed Arena on Friday evening. With the victory, A&M moves to 13-2 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play, while the Commodores fall to 8-5 overall and 0-1 in conference.

Matt Sachs, TexAgs A&M junior Courtney Walker scored in double figures for the 61st time in her A&M career on Friday. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"A\u0026M junior Courtney Walker scored in double figures for the 61st time in her A\u0026M career on Friday.","MediaItemID":51004}
Courtney Williams scored a game-high 22 points, Jordan Jones added nine and 15 assists, Achiri Ade tallied her fifth career double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Courtney Walker scored 17 to lead the Aggies.

“Vanderbilt is going to be very good by the end of the year,” said A&M head coach Gary Blair. “I’m just glad I’m not having to play them twice and making a trip to Nashville."

While the Aggies eventually were able to obtain the victory by double digits, it the Commodores who possessed control of the contest for much of the first half. After the Aggies started hot from the floor, the buckets quit falling and Vanderbilt was able to go from trailing by seven points with 13:11 left in the first, to leading by seven with 1:47 to play in the half.

But that’s when fortunes changed and the Aggies began their takeover.

Trailing 32-25, A&M used three quick buckets over the half’s final 90 seconds to pull within one at the break.

“The key was right before the half, we had 57 seconds and I called a timeout and told them I wanted a two-for-one,” Blair said of his end of half strategy. “Walker got a quick two and then we got it back and got another basket at the end of the possession that got us back within one.”

A&M carried the momentum from the first half-ending run through the break and built up a 10-point lead, their largest to that point, at 51-41 with 12:22 left in the game.

Vanderbilt was then able to cut it back down to four, but A&M’s pressure defense forced the Commodores into multiple turnovers down the stretch, allowing the Aggies to once again build their lead to a double-digit margin and effectively close out the game.

“I have to give all the credit to Texas A&M, they turned it up in the second half,” said Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb. “Jordan Jones’ intensity on the ball didn’t allow us to get it inside which is where we should have been able to score.

Matt Sachs, TexAgs Senior Achiri Ade recorded the fifth double-double of her career on Friday, registering 10 points and 11 rebounds. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"Senior Achiri Ade recorded the fifth double-double of her career on Friday, registering 10 points and 11 rebounds.","MediaItemID":51020}
“I told Jones after the game that I was really impressed with a kid that plays that hard for 37 minutes on defense and changes a game, and then also has 15 assists. We couldn’t contain her in transition and she was getting the ball into the paint and just kicking it to their mid-range shots.”

As Balcomb noted, not only was Jones a force on the defensive end of the floor, but as usual, she did her job offensively as well. The DeSoto native’s 15 dimes on the night gave her 440 for her career and moved her into seventh place on the all-time A&M assist list, passing Lisa Herner.

“With assists, it’s really a two way street,” said Jones. “My shooting guards and teammates have to be on, and they were on tonight which made my job a lot easier. It’s really all on them, they have to do all the work and I just have to get them the ball.”

Now, the Aggies turn their attention to the road for the first time in SEC play as they travel to Fayetteville for a Sunday contest against Blair’s old team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. While the team will be focused first and foremost on leaving Arkansas with a victory, Jones knows that due to Blair’s history, there is something a little extra that comes with playing the Hogs.

“When we get to Arkansas, I’m sure that’s going to be one of his key points to the game,” Jones said. “It being a homecoming for him and also for Coach Wright since she did play for Arkansas. We’re really just going to try to take those two back home and get them a win.”
Discussion from...

WBB: Jones' 15 assists lead A&M to 75-61 victory over Vanderbilt

13,825 Views | 15 Replies | Last: 9 yr ago by Bill Robbins
Ronnie Woodard
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AG
WBB: Jones' 15 assists lead A&M to 75-61 victory over Vanderbilt
Dr. Mike 69
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The Lady Aggies showed a lot of hustle tonight. Vandy was very very scrappy. They lost by 14, but that is deceptive. They were very disciplined and hustled. Nice job, Ladies! Now, for another matter that really bugs me as a 22 1/2 year Army veteran. I always watch the players during the National Anthem while I'm saluting the U. S. Flag. One of our "fish" players, 00, never covers her heart with her right hand. I'm told this is intentional. I wish Coach Blair would get her attention. I know you can't make people respect our flag, but I don't have to respect them either. Until I see 00 respect the flag during the National Anthem, I will not applaud when she scores, and will not roar approval when she is introduced. My refusals will end when I see her show respect for our nation. Until then, I will not. Gig 'em, God bless you, and God bless America!!
jgriffith73
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Great game for the Lady Aggies. I think Coach is right--Vandy is going to get better with more games and will be a very tough out. I had not noticed 00--I will start watching that. If you enjoy the advantages of this great nation then you can at least show respect for our country.
mullokmotx
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Great double double by Achiri. She is a warrior on the boards, but she needs more help on the boards from the post players.
Bill Robbins
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Don't worry, Dr Mike. I got her covered and will yell twice as loud for you.

And BTW I was taught in school to cover my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance (to the flag) and to stand at attention for our National Anthem. It appears that others were taught the same.

Gig 'em and BTHO Arkansas!
Thymes
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I, too, will yell twice as loud when Khaalia scores. BTW, if you want to question my patriotism, I served six years as a Marine Corps officer. One of the reasons I served was to protect Americans' right of free expression, which includes the right not to salute the flag the way someone else prefers. That also includes your right to make an ass out of yourself on a public message board by dissing a wonderful young woman from Chicago who chose Texas A&M for her education and to play for Coach Blair.
Bill Robbins
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Dr Mike,
If you are saluting the flag shouldn't your eyes be on the flag?
cs69ag
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When the team lines up for the National Anthem, it is easy to see how each player, coach and members of the staff handle Flag Etiquette and Standards of Respect for the Flag of The United States of America.
There are only two standards...salute if in uniform, or place your right hand over your heart beginning with the first note through the last note.

In our Country, citizens have the right to not stand. leave their hat on. look the other way, slump. fold their arms, stand with their arms behind their back, or whatever. Such actions indicate a lack of respect and violation of the Standards . Some may construe that action or lack of action as a protest...and those that do, have the right to think that and state their feelings.

Re students and student athletes, most Universities have a diverse student body with each individual brought up in a different environment and situation re parents, schooling, etc. They are still in their formative years and part of going to college is to experience others thoughts, backgrounds, standards and so forth.

For those that do not currently honor and respect Our Flag, it is my hope that they will ultimately understand the sacrifices made by thousands of others before them that allows them the freedoms
that they enjoy today, including going to college.

My opinion is based on that I am an American, an Aggie grad, a former U.S. Army officer and a Dad.
aggiedrjdub
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I respect her right to not salute the flag. Gig'em Khalia!! And I will keep yelling and watching her develop (while saluting our flag). Gig'em Aggies!!!
Thymes
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I do not agree that there are only two standards. If one is obviously goofing off during the national anthem, that's disrespectful, even if not intended. If on the other hand, one simply stands and faces the flag, there is not a thing wrong there. There is no obligation to put a hand over the heart.

I hate it when people make up their own standards, try to impose them on others, and then accuse those not in compliance with violating standards. I served in the military prior to Ronald Reagan's presidential terms. You never saw Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, or Carter saluting the Marine One helicopter greeter. In the naval service (and I suspect also in the Army and Air Force), one does not salute in civilian clothes. But President Reagan started it, and now God help any president (especially if he is a Democrat) if he doesn't return that salute.

(One also does not salute while uncovered, in the Navy and Marine Corps, and does not wear a cover indoors unless under arms.)

Khaalia did nothing wrong. Her accuser reminds me of the kid in church who chastises peers for not having their heads bowed during the prayer. How did he know?

And I say this as an American, a former active duty Marine Corps officer, an Aggie (with two A&M degrees), and a Dad.
cs69ag
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There IS a Standard with two options. You can easily google it and read it!.
That is two options to RESPECT the Flag of America. As I said before, a person can do anything they want.
We have a free country and there is no law broken. Respect is respect. That is All.

Over and out
Thymes
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I can also easily Google and read about the Loch Ness Monster, flat earth societies, Big Foot, alien abductions, and Obama being born in Kenya.

For every web site you find that says it your way, I can probably find another with different advice.

And, as for respect being respect, how about respecting our hard-working athletes and not calling them out from behind internet board pseudonyms. If your'e going to accuse an athlete of being unpatriotic or discourteous, do it to her face or at least sign you damned name.
cs69ag
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http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

Facts are facts! Read The Salute and National Anthem sections from the above link.
BQ92
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If you noticed, all of the players from Vandy stood at attention but did not salute.
BQ92
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Achiri showed why her teammates voted her as captain. We think of JJ as the energy on the team, but Achiri is bringing it and selling out to make a play. Love the hustle.
Bill Robbins
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http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/03/why-we-are-supposed-to-take-our-hats-off-for-the-national-anthem/

Entertaining reading about the history of saluting, etc.
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