Spring Break
History in the making
A&M takes first in Big 12 with 67-60 win over Texas
By: Jack Molitor
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: News
 Stephen Fogg - The Battalion Sophomore Danielle Gant goes up for a basket over Texas Wednesday night. She scored six points during the course of the game. The Aggies went on to win over Texas, 67-60 to become Big 12 champions. |
The Texas A&M women's basketball won its first Big 12 championship Wednesday night the way all Aggie teams want to win: 67-60 against the Texas Longhorns on senior night.
"Texas and Texas A&M is the best college rivalry," said A&M head coach Gary Blair. "I want to thank everyone, but especially my family for sharing this with me."
Blair said he was also grateful for the largest crowd of the year and by far the best showing among students. He also showed special gratitude to the most loyal season ticket holders, allowing them to come out after the victory and cut down the nets to share the moment with the team. The entire crowd was able to enjoy the presentation of the Big 12 championship trophy and a surprise unveiling of a championship banner in the rafters of Reed Arena.
"If I had known it was there waiting, I'd have told them to take it down," Blair said about the banner. "We are just a hard working team, and we keep finding ways."
The Aggies had numerous opportunities to put the game out of reach, but the Longhorns hung around, keeping the game close, which set up an exciting finish. With just more than a minute left in the game, Texas had a chance to tie it at 61, but Texas point guard Carla Cortija missed a 3-pointer, and 30 seconds later A&M point guard A'Quonesia Franklin made two foul shots to put the game out of reach.
"This means a lot to everybody," Franklin said. "We worked hard and took this season one game at a time, and the sky is the limit for us."
For the Longhorns, it was a difficult way to end a disappointing Big 12 season, and the loss leaves the Longhorns on the bubble for making the NCAA tournament.
"A&M played very well in a high level game," said Texas head coach Jody Conradt. "When it got down to crunch time, they made some plays, and we didn't. You have to look at the 17 offensive rebounds A&M got."
Texas actually shot a better percentage from the field, making 48 percent to A&M's 40 percent. Brittainey Raven, who recorded a career-high 19 points, led the Longhorns.
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