Hillsman leads Aggie Women's Basketball past Central Arkansas, 72-61

Coming off of Wednesday's game against TCU, the Aggies came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter against Central Arkansas, jumping out to an 11-point lead. 

However, the A&M defense deliverd another poor performace, and the Ags had to rely on a 26-point effort from Khaailia Hillsman, including thirteen in the final period to pull away for a double-digit victory.

"They ran their offense very well in the second half," said A&M head coach Gary Blair. "We are just not a very good defensive team right now. I can promise you we will get better."

The Aggies struggled throughout most of the second and third quarters with the smaller, speedier players of Central Arkansas. Led by Senior Taylor Baudoin who scored 18 points to go along with three assists and four rebounds in the losing effort.

It was a sluggish shooting night for the Aggies from beyond the three-point line, shooting 1-9. Senior Danni Williams scored only six points in the contest, going 0-3 from beyond the arc. It wasn't until the opening minute of the fourth when the Aggies first connected from downtown when Chennedy Carter hit a triple.

The game was much closer than the final score line indicated. Heading into the final quarter, the Aggies only held a three-point lead, 49-46.

In the final 10 minutes, A&M leaned on its size advantage down low and let the duo of Hillsman and Anriel Howard go to work. The two combined for 18 of the Aggies' 23 points in the final quarter of play. 

"I thought we did a very good job in the second half of getting the ball to Khaalia... give Hillsman and Anriel credit," said Blair.

Up next, the Aggies step away from Reed Arena for a road swing on the west coast. They start by taking on the undefeated USC Trojans on Friday, December 15. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network and tip at 9:00 p.m. central time.