Texas A&M claws out decisive road victory over Kentucky, 61-44
Joni Taylor & Co. rolled out of the Bluegrass State with another double-digit Southeastern Conference road victory, soaring past Kentucky on Sunday afternoon, 61-44.
It was the kind of win that should make Taylor’s squad feel anything but blue.
In fact, the victory marked Texas A&M’s first back-to-back SEC road wins since the 2020-21 season.
The Aggies pounced first, jumping out to a 13-5 lead at the first timeout. Yet, a 7-0 Kentucky run closed the gap soon after.
A&M's short drought from the field led to just a five-point lead following the initial frame, 17-12.
The woes temporarily surfaced in the second, though.
A&M's trio of scoring threats, Janiah Barker, Lauren Ware and Endyia Rogers found themselves in foul trouble. Despite all three sticking around for a few minutes in the quarter, the offense remained stagnant, and A&M was held to just seven points.
The Wildcats led for 46 seconds of the half and momentum seemed to be shifting blue.
Though, not for very long.
The second half saw a shift as the inside game began to work for the Aggies.
A&M exploited its size advantage, and Barker's jumper sparked a much-needed 7-0 run late in the third.
Since Barker’s return from concussion protocol, she’s posted 36 points and 14 rebounds in her last two games — finishing with 15 against the Wildcats. Rogers and Aicha Coulibably combined for 29 to aid A&M's efforts offensively.
A string of 15 unanswered points by A&M built a 13-point lead in the third, and Kentucky’s 10 in the final frame didn’t make up any ground.
Coming off a 19-point triumph at Ole Miss, A&M’s consecutive wins highlight impressive margins of victory that look even nicer in February.
As March looms ahead, Taylor’s squad is eyeing a trip to the NCAA Tournament with six regular season games remaining. That goal certainly appears in reach.
Now holding a 5-5 ledger in conference play, Texas A&M aims to continue its winning ways back at Reed Arena against Vanderbilt on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT.
