WBB: A&M defeats Southern 88-47, moves to 2-0 on the season

A tool used by coaches around the country, nonconference basketball games early in the season provide opportunities to learn more about their team and to give their players experience before the conference slate hits in January.

Using alternate lineups throughout most of the second half for experimental purposes, Gary Blair and his 13th-ranked Texas A&M women’s basketball team defeated the Southern Jaguars 88-47 in front of 3,611 fans at Reed Arena on Sunday afternoon. With the win, Blair is just three victories away from joined the 700-career win club.

“I thought we started off the ball game very well,” said Blair. “I really liked how our first unit played. Courtney Williams started learning how to score easy. I thought, by far, she was the best player out on the court.”

Four of A&M’s five starters finished the game in double-digits with Williams leading the way with 18 points. After a lackluster 10-point performance on Friday night against Texas State, the senior was pleased with her play on Sunday.

“Tonight, I just took my time,” said Williams. “Friday, I was a little anxious to get out there and have good stats. I tried to get my stats up so that probably broke my rhythm a little bit, but tonight I just took my time.”

Also of note, starting point guard Jordan Jones finished the game with 15 points and a 6:1 assist/turnover ratio, going 4-of-4 from the three-point line in the process. Jones, who tore her ACL near the end of the 2014-2015 season, showed the progress she’s made on her three-point shot while recovering from the injury.

“Jordan is playing within herself,” said Blair. “She was very good and hit the open threes. If they’re going to give it to her, she’s going to take it. That’s what a senior does.”

While it’s expected that the seniors play to the best of their ability at all times, that’s not always a given for freshmen. Especially freshmen making their first career start in just their second collegiate game.

Freshman forward Anriel Howard made her first career start on Sunday and finished the game with 13 points and five rebounds. Along the way, the Atlanta native showed high energy and the fight and determination of an upperclassman.

“I wanted to see what Anriel could do with the first unit,” said Blair. “She gives us so much energy. Her ability is off the charts for what we envision her being in the next few years.”

When asked about making her first career start, Howard said she leaned on her older teammates.
“I just have to listen to the veterans on my team,” said Howard. “They know what they’re talking about, this is their fourth year. It’s a big transition from high school, but I’m learning.”

Already leading 49-34 at halftime, A&M slammed the door on any hope of a Jaguars comeback with a dominant defensive performance in the third quarter. During the period, A&M’s stingy defense allowed just six total points on 1-of-13 shooting while racking up eight turnovers.

The pressure put on the Jaguars in the quarter allowed the Aggies to hold a 26-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter where the defensive onslaught continued. In total, Southern was able to produce just 13 points in the final 20 minutes of play on 4-of-34 shooting (11.8%).

“This team made us work defensively,” said Blair. “We had a little butt-chewing at halftime on the half court defense because we got out of our press. In the second half, they went 4-of-34. We tightened it up and listened to Coach Starkey at halftime.”

While A&M has had success against inferior competition this season, the Aggies will have to play to their highest level in order to keep their perfect record intact as they head to Durham, North Carolina on Wednesday to face the 14th-ranked Duke Blue Devils. Last season, the then 7th-ranked Aggies beat the 8th-ranked Blue devils 63-59 at Reed Arena.