Lopsided loss to No. 7 Vandy sees Texas A&M slump to 1-3 in conference
Game #13: No. 7 Vanderbilt 91, Texas A&M 51
Records: Texas A&M (8-5, 1-3), Vanderbilt (17-0, 4-0)
Box Score
Texas A&M was hampered by excessive scoring droughts and 25 turnovers in an inexplicable 91-51 loss to No. 7 Vanderbilt on Sunday afternoon.
Facing its toughest test yet, the Commodores overpowered the Aggies in nearly every facet of the game. The 40-point loss is A&M's worst at home under head coach Joni Taylor.
"They played how it looked on film," Taylor said. "They are physical on film. It jumps out at you. They are tough on both sides of the basketball. They were who they are, and we did not handle it well at all."
Initially, the Aggies did not appear overwhelmed and trailed by only four points after 10 minutes.
From there, the Maroon & White were outscored, 73-37.
"When they continued to turn their pressure up, we got soft," Taylor said.
A hot hand from deep got the Commodores going as all 12 of their initial points came from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt continued to separate the gap with 3-pointers as 6-foot-4 Justine Pissott was a threat all day, sinking four triples in the first half.
One of the league's most prolific scorers, guard Mikayla Blakes emerged in the second quarter with 16. She finished a game-high 25.
As for the Aggies, they received much-needed help from their role players as A&M's bench actually outscored the Commodores, 26-17. Lemyah Hylton provided 10, and Salese Blow had six, with each knocking down a trey.
A&M's bench was one of the few positives.
"The people that we needed to step up off the bench did a good job," Ny'Ceara Pryor said. "Talia Kavoka handled the ball well. Lemyah, coming off the bench, was aggressive. Emerald Parker stepped up."
Although Pryor led the team with 11 points, the Commodores stifled her and Fatmata Janneh, combining for just six first-half points. They often pushed deep into the shot clock in an effort to see a handful of looks, but Vanderbilt kept the pressure up.
The home squad was without Lauren Ware, who left the game after two minutes and did not return. The sixth-year player has had lingering knee problems throughout her career.
"Her knee blew up after Florida," Taylor said. "We rested her on Friday and Saturday. She warmed up and tried to give it a go, but couldn't.
"She is day to day. The bye week comes at a great time for her, so we can get some of the inflammation calmed down in her knee."
However, more trouble is coming
With a full week to reset, the Aggies will travel to Austin to face their archrival in second-ranked Texas.
Three of their next four contests are against top-15 opponents. Of their remaining 12 regular-season games, seven are against ranked teams.
What happens next will determine whether this group emerges hardened by the gauntlet or is swallowed by it.
