No. 7 Aggies hold Tigers to season low scoring total in 54-41 win

The Aggies exacted revenge for their only loss this season thanks to a big second-half surge, defeating LSU on Thursday night at Reed Arena. Seventh-ranked A&M held LSU to a season-low in points in the 54-41 win. 

The common sports cliche that “a win is a win” would be a good way to describe A&M’s second outing against the Tigers. Thursday’s first half is one that Gary Blair’s team would like to forget, consisting of more turnovers (12) than field goals made (8). Texas A&M finished the half on a scoring drought of over four minutes while turning the ball over four times in that same stretch. 

Trailing 27-21 going into the second half, the Aggies came out playing suffocating defense, and LSU scored 14 points off only six field goals and turned the ball over 11 times for the rest of the evening. 

“Our whole team was locked in for the second half,” Aggie guard Destiny Pitts said. “We did a good job taking the paint away and minimizing their opportunities to score.”

Offense was still hard to come by as LSU held star bigs Ciera Johnson and N’dea Jones to a combined six points total. Struggling inside the paint, Coach Blair transitioned into a smaller lineup to provide the Aggies with more space for their guards and shooters. 

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

The Aggie defense never faltered late, holding LSU to an astounding four total points in the final quarter of play. 

Fighting their way back into the game, the Aggies trailed 37-36 with seven seconds left in the third quarter. Needing a momentum change headed toward the final frame, Aaliyah Wilson dropped a three at the buzzer which sparked the team and the crowd.

“Wilson wants the ball in that situation,” Coach Blair said postgame. “She may not be our best shooter statistically, but I can count on her to make shots like that.”

Aaliyah Wilson’s shot started what would be a 13-0 run that lasted halfway into the 4th quarter. LSU’s first points came off a free throw with 4:32 left in the game, by which point they were trailing 49-38.

LSU never threatened after the stellar run as the Aggies got their payback and improved to 17-1 (8-1). 

After winning the first two out of the five-game homestand, Texas A&M will shift its focus to Arkansas, who they beat this season on a Jordan Nixon buzzer-beater. Due to COVID-19 issues in the Tennessee program, the previously scheduled game against the Vols was postponed and Arkansas shifted into the Sunday slot.

The game against the Razorbacks is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and will be televised on SEC Network. 

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