Efficient shooting leads A&M to a 96-54 drubbing of MVSU on Thursday

Making a list and checking it twice.

There were a couple of things head coach Joni Taylor wanted out of Texas A&M's final non-conference tune-up against Mississippi Valley State.

"When you go into this last game before Christmas, you want your team focused," Taylor said. "You want to leave this game feeling good about where you are, knowing you have conference games after that, and you want to leave healthy. I can check the box in all three of those areas."

On a lights-out shooting day, A&M put a bow on its 2024-25 non-conference slate with a 96-54 beatdown of Mississippi Valley State at Reed Arena on Thursday afternoon.

It was an incredibly efficient showing for Taylor's Aggies as they fired 51.4 percent from the field, and five Aggies finished in double figures.

"We had six last game who scored in double figures. We almost got it again," Taylor said. "It speaks to us sharing the basketball. We spent a lot of time last week getting healthy and putting pieces on the floor."

With a noticeable Maroon & White size advantage over the Devilettes, A&M's post presence fueled the offense.

Jada Malone found a groove early, battling inside to put up eight first-frame points. The junior posted her first career double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

SMU transfer Amirah Abdur-Rahim also significantly contributed to A&M's 56 paint points, posting a season-high 15 points and 10 boards.

"Over the last couple of games and practices, my teammates and coaches have instilled more confidence in me," Abdur-Rahim said. "I went out there today and said I was going to do everything I could to help my team win and be the best we can."

In addition to the dominance down low, A&M provided some pop beyond the arc from Solè Williams and Kyndall Hunter, combining for five triples as both fell just shy of that double-digit mark.

With 45 points at the half, A&M tied its most efficient first half of the season. One of the five in double figures, the ultra-consistent Aicha Coulibaly posted 12 and continued to be a rock for the offense to build around.

A&M outscored the Devilettes 31-14 in the third compared as the fiery frame allowed A&M to surpass the 90-point plateau later in the fourth for the first time since a 95-45 drubbing of MVSU last year

Now 7-5, A&M's non-conference stretch was far from perfect, but the Aggies have improved in many categories. Ball distribution has increased, turnovers are reduced, and the Aggies have held their last four of five opponents to under 60 points.

With back-to-back wins in the books, the Aggies must build off the cohesion seen this week and carry it into 2025.

A&M will begin Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 2 against No. 18 Tennessee (9-0).

Competing in a powerhouse league, the Aggies will need high-level production to remain above water in the SEC.

Thursday's final tune-up served as another stepping stone before the gauntlet begins.