Struggles continue as Texas A&M drops sixth consecutive contest
In the hardest climbs, it is often unknown what’s on the other end.
Texas A&M’s women’s basketball team has endured almost every obstacle along the climb of their 2022-23 campaign, but quite frankly, the Aggies have faced it head-on.
On Monday night, A&M dropped its sixth straight conference matchup against Missouri, 61-35, inside of Reed Arena. It has been a difficult road in head coach Joni Taylor’s first year at A&M, as her squad has struggled to find the results they have been hoping for.
“Well, it’s been a challenge all year long,” Taylor said. “We knew it would be a challenge. We intentionally prepared them to make sure they’re all on the same page of playing hard and getting better.”
Misfiring on 39 shots in total, Texas A&M’s offensive showing lacked any sort of spark.
Poor shooting from the start plagued the Aggies as they went 0-for-8 from behind the arc and shot at 14 percent clip from the field in the first half. A&M put up a dismal 10 points, only knocking in four of 28 shots in the opening 20 minutes.
“We weren’t taking the shots we usually take,” A&M forward Sahara Jones said. “They crowded the paint on defense, so we knew they were going to make us shoot. We were lacking confidence in our shooting, which is why we missed so many shots in the first half.”
On Missouri’s end, the duo of the Hayley Frank and Haley Troup combined for 13 at the break. The Aggies held the Tigers to just 25 points at halftime, but a lack of offense kept the Aggies behind.
On track to score just 20 points the entire game, A&M slightly ramped up its offensive effort in the final quarters, with Jones leading the charge. Her 14 points added a touch of liveliness as the Aggies got within 11, but a 10-0 Missouri run stretched the deficit heading into the fourth.
The Tigers’ paint presence overwhelmed the Aggies, forcing the A&M outside the arc. Attempting 19, the Maroon & White were only able to cash in three 3-pointers, with two of the makes coming in the fourth. A&M’s 12 points in the final quarter made up no ground, and the Aggies dropped their 13th SEC meeting this season.
“It’s very tough,” A&M guard Kay Kay Green said. “It’s a process. Day by day, we have to come in with a positive attitude and stay together as a team. We love each other... That team chemistry helps us go on even though we aren’t getting the results we need.”
With just two games remaining on their schedule, the Aggies continue to stay encouraged by using this year’s climb as motivation for what is ahead.
“We lose McKinzie (Green) and (Aaliyah) Patty, but everyone else is coming back (next year) as of now,” Taylor said. “We’ve got other players coming in that will be fighting for spots. Every single day is a tryout, and that’s the conversation we have. It’s about getting better so that you’re in a better position next year to help the team.”
Texas A&M will play its final home game of the season on Thursday as Kentucky (2-12, 10-16) comes to town for 6 p.m. CT tip at Reed Arena.