Aggie Women's hoops rally from halftime deficit to defeat LSU, 75-69
When the 15th-ranked Aggie women’s basketball team (24-8, 12-5 SEC) needed a big performance, they turned to the SEC Freshman of the year, Chennedy Carter. Behind her dominant offensive day, A&M was able to punch their ticket to the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament after taking down LSU, 75-69 in Nashville.
Despite struggling earlier in the season when facing LSU, Carter finished the game with 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and was a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line. Near the end of the game, A&M was able to pull away when LSU fouled Carter and sent her to the line repeatedly. One of the key difference makers in the game was the free throw shooting of A&M as a whole — they shot 20-24 from the foul line.
When Carter wasn’t scoring herself, she was feeding the ball down low to Khaalia Hillsman, who was a perfect 7-7 from the floor, notching a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Offensively including Carter and Hillsman, four players scored in double figures including Danni Williams (15) and Jasmine Lumpkin (10). Anriel Howard had a quiet offensive day — scoring just four points and running into foul trouble late in the game.
The first half was a very tightly contested ballgame. The Aggies struggled to hold on to the ball and the Tigers capitalized. Carter committed five turnovers, leading to buckets for LSU. Despite their struggles keeping possession, the Aggies kept it close by going 9-9 at the charity stripe in the first half.
After struggling in the first half with turnovers, the Aggies turned on their defensive intensity and only committed two turnovers in the second half. Three Tigers, Ayana Mitchell (17), Chloe Jackson (16) and Raigyne Louis (17) scored in double figures and helped carry the load of offense.
In the second half of the game, A&M was able to pull away from LSU behind the offensive attack of Carter and Hillsman. The Tigers would respond by scoring with the shooting of Louis and the inside presence of Mitchell. The Aggies weren’t able to close out the game until there was under a minute left.
Carter's performance from the charity stripe insured the victory.
After taking down LSU, the Aggies will face former A&M assistant Vic Shaefer and the undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs tomorrow. When these two teams faced off earlier this season, the Bulldogs won, 76-55 in Starkville.
Tomorrow's game is scheduled to tip at 4:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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