The Aggie women’s basketball team enjoyed its first home game of the season as it defeated the University of Texas-San Antonio 78-48 to bring its win-streak to four games – the longest in the Big 12.
After losing its first game of the season to the University of South Florida, the team has outscored its opponents by an average of 20 points in every contest, while playing aggressive defense.
Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair said he was impressed with the overall defensive play of his team and the Aggies on the ball pressure.
“I think we did a good job of pressing (UTSA) during the second half with our defensive pressure,” Blair said. “Our tempo was better, and our pressure was better.”
The Aggies struggled in the first half and seemed out of synch as Texas-San Antonio hung with the Aggies through the first four minutes of the game.
“I think everyone was a little excited because this was our first game at home,” said A&M junior forward Tamea Scales. “There were a lot more fans there than usual, but I think once we calmed down, we were fine.”
After the first home game jitters disappeared, the Aggies forced Texas-San Antonio into 20 first-half turnovers and a 33-22 Aggie lead at halftime.
A&M looked like a team on a mission in the second half, diving for loose balls and playing hustle defense. The Aggies went to a full-court defense and pressured Texas-San Antonio again into 13 second half turnovers and only 25 points.
Scales led the team with 20 points and four rebounds, also going six and six from the free-throw line. Aggie freshman backup center Patrice Reado added a spark off the bench, going 7-9 from the field with 14 points, and Aggie junior guard Erica Roy added a career high with seven assists.
Texas-San Antonio center Richelle Parks was the only Roadrunner in double figures with 13 points, as Texas-San Antonio couldn’t seem to find an answer for the Aggies up-tempo play all night.
“We needed this ball game,” Blair said. “It took us awhile to get going; this wasn’t how we played on the road. The pressure defense is something you’re going to see all year. But overall, I think the girls did a good job tonight.”
The Aggies next game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday against Texas State University.