It took the Texas A&M women’s basketball team less than two minutes to dominate over Southern University, as four of the Aggies five starters made a basket — including a three-pointer by senior point guard Jordan Jones — forcing Southern to call a timeout and regroup.
However, the Jaguars ultimately needed much more than a timeout to hang with A&M. The Aggies never slowed down, using aggressive defense and efficient offense to defeat the Jaguars 88-47 in Reed Arena on Military Appreciation Day.
“I thought we started off the ball game very well with our defensive intensity, just like we did against Texas State,” head coach Gary Blair said after the game. “I thought we were flowing pretty well and forcing turnovers. I really liked how that first unit played.”
With last week’s 87-50 victory over Texas State, it is the first time since the 2010-2011 season the Aggies have scored at least 87 points in consecutive games.
Getting off to a fast start is crucial for success, said freshman forward Anriel Howard, who started for the first time this season against the Jaguars.
“It sets the tempo of the game,” said Howard, who recorded 13 points and five rebounds. “Our coaches just want us to get out there fast, especially against a team like this. That’s just how we need to play.”
Five Aggies scored in double figures, but Courtney Williams — who scored 18 points, also grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists.
“Courtney Williams started learning how to score easy, she got to the line nine times,” Blair said. “I thought she was very active. By far she was the best player out there on the court.”
Williams, who was honored before the game for her participation in last summer’s Pan-American Games, said she was much more patient this game than last Friday’s win over Texas State.
“Tonight, I just took my time,” Williams said. “Friday, I was a little anxious to get out there. I tried to get my stats up so that probably broke my rhythm a little bit. But tonight I just took my time. I could have taken more shots, but I have a whole season to go.”
The Aggies (2-0) went into a bit of a lull in the middle of the third quarter, allowing the Jaguars (1-1) to hang around more than they would have liked. Williams said improving on defense is one of the keys to finishing teams off.
“I think our defense wasn’t where it needed to be,” Williams said. “They kept hitting range shots and we weren’t boxing out or rebounding. They gave them easy buckets or second chance points that they used to keep the game close enough. Coach Starkey is always saying to put a team like that out early, but we didn’t do that.”
Jones filled up the stat sheet as well, scoring 15 points and compiling six assists while draining all four of her three-point attempts.
The Aggies will now travel to No. 14 Duke on Wednesday, where they will square off with one of college basketball’s top-tier programs. The game will begin at 6 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN3.