The No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies (1-0) defeated Little Rock (0-1), 78-35, giving the Aggies their first win of the season. Ciera Johnson led the Aggies with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
“All I really had to was shoot a layup,” Johnson said. “The guards basically did all the work. All I did was post and turn and shoot a layup.”
A&M began the game losing 9-4 early in the first quarter. The Aggies' struggles proved to be short-lived as they went on a 9-0 run to put them up 13-9 midway through the first quarter. Ciera Johnson had 8 eight points in the quarter, as the Aggies wrapped up the first quarter with a 21-12 lead.
Texas A&M’s dominance continued through the second quarter. Little Rock only scored 6 points on 3/13 shooting in the quarter. The Aggies finished the half leading 44-18.
“We’re going to take it as a great first half,” coach Gary Blair said. “It was a great defensive game.”
The Aggies came out in the third quarter with the same energy, outscoring the Trojans 23-8 in the quarter. A&M scored on 56% of its field goals in the third quarter, giving them a 67-26 lead going into the fourth quarter.
A&M finished the game on a slower note, making 5-of-17 of their field goals in the fourth quarter. While they struggled to find a rhythm, coach Blair was encouraged by his team’s shot selection.
“In the second half, we were running the same things, but we just couldn’t hit the shots,” coach Blair said. “I’d take every one of those shots.”
Coach Blair’s team particularly dominated the rebounding battle over the entire game, out-rebounding the Trojans 50-27.
“We emphasize going to the boards with five people on the defensive end and at least three on the offensive end,” coach Blair said. “But when you can get it that deep to Ciera, the three and four can just flash and go.”
The Aggies are looking forward to their next match-up against the USA Women’s National Team. The players see this battle as a prime opportunity to see where they stand as a team.
“It will be a measuring stick for us,” Chennedy Carter said.
“I think my team’s ready. It’s surprising just to be able to say we’re building chemistry so early in the season, but it’s there.”
Coach Blair also emphasized the significance of his team's next game but from a different perspective.
“I’m embarrassed for the fans that were not here,” Coach Blair said. “We’re the highest-ranked team at Texas A&M right now that’s currently playing, and I think we deserve a little bit more.”
Coach Blair emphasized that the opportunity to watch the USA Women’s National team should be enticing if watching the Aggies is not enough.
“If you’re not going to come out to see the sixth-ranked team, at least come out to see the Olympians,” Blair said.
Texas A&M will take on the USA National team in an exhibition on Thursday November 7 at 7 pm.
