Aggies drop hard-fought, season-ending contest to Notre Dame, 90-84

Spokane, Wash. — The Aggies' season came to an end Saturday afternoon after falling, 90-84, to Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. The Irish had two players score 25 points in Marina Mabrey and Arike Ogunbowale and were able to fight their way back after being down at halftime.

The Aggies got out to a hot start in the first 20 minutes, but Notre Dame erased the deficit. The Irish were own 12 at one point and came back due to Mabrey's prowess from beyond the arc.

A&M was able to jump ahead early thanks to the scoring of Chennedy Carter and Anriel Howard.

In addition to Mabrey, the Fighting Irish were able to attack the rim behind Ogunbowale and force the Aggies into missed shots. A&M headed into the locker room at the half, leading 47-45.

The second half was a different story for A&M. The Aggies struggled to finish at the rim and make shots. In the third quarter alone, A&M shot just 6-22.

Mabrey continued to give the Aggies trouble. She sunk two more threes for a total of seven, and Ogunbowale was able to control the lane, scoring nine points in the third quarter. Another difference-maker late in the game was Jackie Young, who scored six in the final frame and finished the contest with 17 points.

“They just came out pretty quick, and they got the momentum in the third quarter,” Carter said. “We knew we kind of laid down just a little bit. Energy went down. Effort went down. So we tried to pick it back in the fourth quarter, but we just have to come out from halftime ready to play.”

Near the end of the game, A&M was able to cut the lead to three at 85-82 but ran out of time and had to intentionally foul.

Despite dropping the game, head coach Gary Blair said he wouldn’t second-guess the effort his team displayed and how hard they fought all season. Offensively, the Aggies got all they could ask for from Carter (31) and Howard (26). Additionally, Blair said Howard was the MVP of the tournament with the energy she brought each game.

“I wouldn’t change a thing. We played exceptionally well,” Blair said. “Even though we were up 12 or 13 or whatever it was, we knew Notre Dame would come back. And they were hitting shots and they were doing what they needed to. That’s why they’re a number one team and played the hardest schedule in the country. But I’m not going to change a thing. We played extremely well.”

Emotional senior Hillsman (13) said she is really proud to be have been a part of the program and will take with her the relationships she formed over the years with her teammates.

“It’s been special, you know. I’ve been so blessed to be able to play and meet and form so many relationships with these people,” Hillsman said. “I played with Chennedy for one year, and she’s already one of my favorite players I’ve ever played with. Anriel, near and dear to my heart. Wouldn’t trade her for the world.”

Carter said she’s happy with how well her first season at Texas A&M went and is ready to make a deeper run next year. The addition of sophomore guard Aliyah Wilson, who sat out this season after transferring from Arkansas, will be able to help the team next season.

“I’m very proud, the way that we played this whole tournament, this whole year, really just showed how strong we really are,” Carter said. “We stayed together. We faced a lot of adversity. We’re in the Southeastern Conference. It’s one of the hardest conferences to me, if not the hardest conference. I’m just proud of the way we came out and played.”