Texas A&M
Auburn
Texas A&M Women's Basketball
A&M demolishes Auburn 86-54, moves into SEC Tourney semifinals
Duluth, Ga. – There is something to be said for having post-season success year after year. It’s something else to do so as convincingly as the Texas A&M women’s basketball team did on Friday night.
Behind 25 points from Courtney Walker and 11 assists from point guard Jordan Jones, the No. 15 and third-seeded Aggies rolled the sixth-seeded Auburn Tigers 86-54 in the quarterfinals of the 2014 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The 86-point offensive performance is the highest single game total by A&M this season. Additionally, the margin of victory was the largest by the Aggies in any previous conference tournament (SWC, Big 12, & SEC).
“That’s about as good as we can play transition basketball,” said A&M head coach Gary Blair. “I was proud of our guard play. We turned it over 27 times against them at their place against that same press. I think we worked on it because they embarrassed us at their place.”
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
A&M guard/forward Courtney Williams started the game hitting on her first two shots, including a three on the Aggies' first possession.
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A&M, and more specifically Walker, started the game hot, taking an 11-2 lead with 17:26 remaining in the first half on a layup from Achiri Ade. Walker hit two shots during that stretch, but was just beginning her night.
The Oklahoma native proceeded to hit her next five shots to start the game 7-of-7 from the field and led the Aggies to a 17-point, 43-26 lead at the break. In all, Walker poured in 19 during the first period and finished the game going 11-of-15 from the floor and added a pair of free throws as well.
“I think we were getting into the fast break pull-up [game],” said Walker about what was working for her. “They really over-rotated on their zone a lot of times, so a lot of the players would be open on one side of the floor. I think we just took advantage of it.”
Also of note in the first half was A&M center Karla Gilbert’s 58th block of the season. Early in the period, Gilbert deflected a shot from Auburn guard Brandy Montgomery which eventually led to a jumper from Walker.
The block tied her with former A&M player Morenike Atunrase for the single season A&M record. In addition to the block record which was tied on Friday evening, the A&M single season assist record is also has a chance to be broken this season. With her 11 assists against the Tigers, Jones sits just 15 back of the single season mark.
“I think it says a lot about my assistant coaches who are great recruiters”, said Blair of his players breaking records. “I think it’s a tradition and our players doing a great job. When kids come on campus, they want to play with other great players.”
A&M added to their already wide lead in the second half, allowing Auburn just five points over the first 10:16 of the final period. The Tiger scoring drought allowed the Aggies to push their lead out to as many as 37 just over halfway through the second half.
In total, the stingy A&M defense held Auburn to just 33% from the field and forced 15 turnovers.
“We were trying to stop their right-handed drives,” stated Blair. “We forced a couple early turnovers. I think that took all of the life out of them right there. It was just a solid, good game plan by Coach Starkey.”
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
A&M assistant coach Bob Starkey (standing) produced another outstanding defensive game plan. His defensive unit is one of the best in the SEC.
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With 8:36 left to play, Blair pulled what was left of his starting five, giving them ample rest. In a tournament where games are played on back-to-back days, even the slightest bit of rest gives a team a little extra the next day.
“It’s important because we’re playing at 2:30 (ET),” Blair said when asked about resting his players. “It’s going to be a long night for the assistant coaches breaking down film, and it’s going to be a short night for our kids after getting in the cold pool to get ready to play tomorrow.”
A&M now faces second-seeded Tennessee tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 CT. In their only other matchup this season, the Lady Vols rode a 26-point performance from guard Meighan Simmons to a 76-55 victory at Reed Arena on January 26th.
Although Tennessee whipped them the first time, Jones says she’s more than ready for a second crack at the women’s basketball powerhouse.
“I’ll probably be with the coaches tonight breaking down film because that’s just how excited I am about this tournament,” concluded Jones. “I feel if we keep this momentum, keep doing what we’re doing, it should be a better game than it was out in College Station.”
Behind 25 points from Courtney Walker and 11 assists from point guard Jordan Jones, the No. 15 and third-seeded Aggies rolled the sixth-seeded Auburn Tigers 86-54 in the quarterfinals of the 2014 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The 86-point offensive performance is the highest single game total by A&M this season. Additionally, the margin of victory was the largest by the Aggies in any previous conference tournament (SWC, Big 12, & SEC).
“That’s about as good as we can play transition basketball,” said A&M head coach Gary Blair. “I was proud of our guard play. We turned it over 27 times against them at their place against that same press. I think we worked on it because they embarrassed us at their place.”
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
A&M guard/forward Courtney Williams started the game hitting on her first two shots, including a three on the Aggies' first possession.
{"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"A\u0026M guard/forward Courtney Williams started the game hitting on her first two shots, including a three on the Aggies\u0027 first possession.","MediaItemID":41469}
The Oklahoma native proceeded to hit her next five shots to start the game 7-of-7 from the field and led the Aggies to a 17-point, 43-26 lead at the break. In all, Walker poured in 19 during the first period and finished the game going 11-of-15 from the floor and added a pair of free throws as well.
“I think we were getting into the fast break pull-up [game],” said Walker about what was working for her. “They really over-rotated on their zone a lot of times, so a lot of the players would be open on one side of the floor. I think we just took advantage of it.”
Also of note in the first half was A&M center Karla Gilbert’s 58th block of the season. Early in the period, Gilbert deflected a shot from Auburn guard Brandy Montgomery which eventually led to a jumper from Walker.
The block tied her with former A&M player Morenike Atunrase for the single season A&M record. In addition to the block record which was tied on Friday evening, the A&M single season assist record is also has a chance to be broken this season. With her 11 assists against the Tigers, Jones sits just 15 back of the single season mark.
“I think it says a lot about my assistant coaches who are great recruiters”, said Blair of his players breaking records. “I think it’s a tradition and our players doing a great job. When kids come on campus, they want to play with other great players.”
A&M added to their already wide lead in the second half, allowing Auburn just five points over the first 10:16 of the final period. The Tiger scoring drought allowed the Aggies to push their lead out to as many as 37 just over halfway through the second half.
In total, the stingy A&M defense held Auburn to just 33% from the field and forced 15 turnovers.
“We were trying to stop their right-handed drives,” stated Blair. “We forced a couple early turnovers. I think that took all of the life out of them right there. It was just a solid, good game plan by Coach Starkey.”
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
A&M assistant coach Bob Starkey (standing) produced another outstanding defensive game plan. His defensive unit is one of the best in the SEC.
{"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"A\u0026M assistant coach Bob Starkey (standing) produced another outstanding defensive game plan. His defensive unit is one of the best in the SEC.","MediaItemID":41435}
“It’s important because we’re playing at 2:30 (ET),” Blair said when asked about resting his players. “It’s going to be a long night for the assistant coaches breaking down film, and it’s going to be a short night for our kids after getting in the cold pool to get ready to play tomorrow.”
A&M now faces second-seeded Tennessee tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 CT. In their only other matchup this season, the Lady Vols rode a 26-point performance from guard Meighan Simmons to a 76-55 victory at Reed Arena on January 26th.
Although Tennessee whipped them the first time, Jones says she’s more than ready for a second crack at the women’s basketball powerhouse.
“I’ll probably be with the coaches tonight breaking down film because that’s just how excited I am about this tournament,” concluded Jones. “I feel if we keep this momentum, keep doing what we’re doing, it should be a better game than it was out in College Station.”
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