Texas A&M women’s basketball played its fourth game of the young 2024 season, welcoming the Northwestern State Demons to Reed Arena on Sunday. Before tipoff, the Aggies were 6-2 all-time against the Demons and added one more to the win column with a 75-54 victory to improve to 3-2. A&M redshirt junior forward Jada Malone had a career day, scoring 24 points and hauling in nine rebounds, leading the way for an offense that only made one three-pointer all day.
It was a solid performance on both ends for the Maroon and White, drawing 15 fouls in the first half. The ball was evenly distributed with six players scoring in the first half while only recording nine turnovers. Rebounding the ball was another point of emphasis securing 21 rebounds.
“I thought we were able to move the ball some more, have some better looks and be a little bit more comfortable,” coach Joni Taylor said. “I think today, we still turned it over too much in my opinion. Some of those were being aggressive and I don’t have a problem with that, but when you’re not being pressed, 16 turnovers was still too many, whether it’s three seconds in the lane or an illegal screen. We just got to take care of the basketball.”
As for the Demons, it was a struggle in the first half on both sides of the ball. Shooting 10-for-28 on field goals, along with going 3-for-13 from three point land and making it to the free throw line only six times, caused the rhythm to primarily be on the Aggies side most of the game.
“We fouled a ton last year, and that’s been a big point of emphasis for us — is not sending other teams to the free throw line,” Taylor said. “And I think for the most part this season, we’ve done a really good job of getting to the free throw line ourselves and creating opportunities there for us but also limiting our opponents opportunities at the free throw line.
In the first quarter, A&M began with a travel violation followed by Northwestern State connecting for its first bucket of the afternoon by graduate F Jasmin Dixon, but sophomore guard Janae Kent got A&M on the board swiftly connecting on a jumper.
Later in the quarter, the Aggies went on an 8-0 run courtesy of graduate G Sahara Jones and Kent. The Demons attempted to tie it up on a three-point attempt by senior G Mya Blake but were unable to as time expired. Ten rebounds, four assists and three defensive turnovers went A&M’s way, finishing 60% from the field.
After taking a three point lead into the second quarter, A&M was able to break the game open, outscoring Northwestern State, 19-11. During this span, the defense forced Northwestern to commit 15 fouls to get them in foul trouble early. Senior F Lauren Ware along with Kent, Malone and Jones made it to the free throw line 15 times but only secured eight points from the charity stripe.
Jones missed two free throws but made it up to her team with a layup to give the Aggies a 21-17 lead before she found redshirt senior G Aicha Coulibaly under the basket for two more points. Malone continued to give the Demons’ defense issues and continued her strong showing with four more points, tied with Jones for the most in the first half with eight.
During the third quarter, A&M had another big quarter that set the tone for the rest of the game outscoring Northwestern State 21-13. It began with a Kent layup and freshman Taliyah Parker scoring the first three points with a 5-0 run from a jumper by Ware, free throw by Jones and tip-in by Malone. Blake had a three-point play before A&M went on a 9-0 run.
It started with a jumper by Jones followed by layups by junior G Kyndall Hunter and Coulibaly. Jones and Malone capped it off with a layup and tip-in before Northwestern’s leading scorer, graduate G Zhane Thompson, hit a three to end the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Malone had one of her finest finishing performances with 12 points and two steals. She shot 5-of-6 with two free throws and two rebounds and had her teammates feeding her the ball nonstop, ensuring the Fightin’ Farmers’ scoring success.
The 12th Man applauded her as she checked out of the game with a smile on her face. Coach Taylor appeared pleased with her and had positive things to say.
“We’ve talked about how hard she’s worked to get herself back,” Taylor said. “Jada’s capable of that, and I thought we did a really good job of finding her. We knew we were going to have a size advantage, and she did a really good job of running the floor.”
A&M will battle Villanova in the Bad Boy Battle Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament at 8:00 p.m Saturday, Nov. 23 in Nassau, Bahamas.
