Seventh-ranked LSU overpowers Taylor's Aggies in Baton Rouge, 87-70
Overpowered and outplayed.
Texas A&M was simply outmatched against the defending national champions as the Aggies (13-3, 1-2) suffered an 87-70 defeat at No. 7 LSU (16-1, 3-0) on Thursday night.
In their biggest test yet, the Ags fell well short of earning a statement win and remain winless on the road in conference play.
Despite holding LSU scoreless for the first three minutes of the game, the Aggies failed to capitalize offensively to stretch their short-lived lead. Despite the early defensive effort, A&M sputtered on offense, committing four turnovers in the first five minutes.
Janiah Barker picked up her second foul in the first five minutes of the game, which limited her action all night and hindered A&M’s offensive rhythm. The sophomore fouled out early in the final quarter and finished with six points.
The Aggies had no answer for LSU’s star Angel Reese, who recorded 10 points and seven rebounds in the first quarter on her way to a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double, the 55th of her career. Reese came three assists short of her first career triple-double.
Trailing by single digits for most of the first half, A&M never found the run needed to even the score.
Endyia Rogers left everything out on the court, leading the charge for the Aggies with 13 first-half points to lead all scorers. The Oregon transfer reached a season-high 27 points and nine rebounds.
Giving up an average of 49 points per game, A&M’s defense allowed LSU to score 44 points in the opening half on its way to a 44-37 lead at halftime over the Maroon & White.
Playing the reigning national champions in their own gym is never an easy task, and the Aggies had their hands full all night as the Tigers owned the pace of play and free throw margin from start to finish.
The Aggies shot 12 free throws. The Tigers shot 32 free throws.
LSU hit the bonus first in every quarter, which made it increasingly difficult for the Aggies. By not getting to the line, the Aggies struggled to keep up with LSU’s potent offense.
Joni Taylor’s squad entered the night boasting the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation, but A&M failed to slow down the nation’s top offense as the Tigers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Aggies 24-12.
The free throw discrepancy and a lack of physicality from A&M led to a huge offensive outing from the Tigers.
LSU’s 87 points is the most A&M has allowed all year as all five Tiger starters reached double figures.
After suffering their largest defeat all season, the Aggies’ road doesn’t get any easier moving forward, as the Lady Vols and No. 1 South Carolina both make trips to Reed Arena over the next 10 days.