Aggie Women's hoops upsets No. 6 Tennessee in overtime thriller, 79-76

The 17th-ranked Aggies were back in Reed Arena tonight playing the No.6  team in the nation, the Lady Vols of Tennessee. The Ags came into the game 2-1 in conference play, and were looking to make it three in a row versus SEC opponents. While the Lady Vols came into the night hoping to improve to a perfect 4-0 in the SEC, the Ags would prevail in the end, handing Tennessee their first loss of the season, with a 79-76 performance that was as close as they come.

"It was a great ball game, win or lose, [it was] a great ball game," said A&M head coach Gary Blair after the hard-fought victory.

The first half was a close affair, with the Ags and Lady Vols trading leads in the first quarter. The Ags would have the final say though, finishing 21-20. They continued to carry that momentum into the second quarter behind Hillsman and Carter’s scoring, but the lead dwindled and eventually was lost, and the ladies went into the locker room behind, 36-34.

Carter, as she has been all season for the Aggies, was dynamic throughout scoring 21 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists.

The second half was much like the first, fairly close and hopeful for the Ags. A&M was on fire in the fourth quarter, extending their lead as high as seven at 69-62. The run was led by Chennedy Carter’s hot hand, but the freshman eventually cooled off and the Ags couldn’t hold onto their lead.

After the game senior Khaalia Hillsman said, “When we made our run we lost our sense of urgency and started being careless with the ball.” The Aggies would eventually let the Lady Vols back in it and tie the game at 70, forcing overtime.

In the overtime period, the Lady Vols seemed to have the game in the bag. The Maroon & White couldn’t get shots to fall and Tennessee capitalized on turnovers. The Aggies held strong though and Danni Williams helped pull the Aggies back on top. Williams went 3-3 from the line after a late foul from beyond the arc to put the Ags up for good at 77-76.

A&M would put the game on ice with two more free throws from Williams in the games final seconds to bring the game to its final score, 79-76.

After the game senior Danni Williams, who tied Khaalia Hillsman as the Aggies' leading scorer on the night with 22 felt comfortbale at the free throw line in the games biggest moment.

“(I) Just had to breathe and relax. My teammates and Coach Blair trust me to be in that situation and to take those shots.”

The Aggies will return to action at Reed Arena on Sunday when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs for another Southeastern Conference contest at 2:00pm. 

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