Spring Break
Women's basketball team rallies to beat Kansas
By: Michael Teague
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Sports
Despite a rough start, the Texas A&M women's basketball team came from behind Saturday at Reed Arena to beat the Kansas Jayhawks, 73-60.
"If your going to be able to play No. 7 on the road then you better be able to throw two punches, not one," said Kansas Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson. "In this league you better be able to weather a storm and answer one."
Forward Danielle Gant led the Aggies with 21 points while adding six rebounds and three steals to her performance.
"[A&M Head Coach Gary] Blair said I needed to put the team on my back, so that's what I did in the second half," Gant said.
Blair said he was proud of his team's performance and gave credit to the play of Kansas.
"Their execution was outstanding," Blair said. "I'd like to credit their offense for taking some tough shots. Kansas just did a great job of playing the game."
With 14:51 remaining in regulation, Aggie sophomore point guard Sydney Colson picked up her fourth foul and was forced to the bench. Freshman Sydney Carter replaced Colson to lead the Aggies past the Jayhawks.
"Sydney Carter was huge," Blair said. "Carter had to come in and bail us out like she has before."
Kansas shot 56.4 percent from the field against the Aggies' defense, which ranks at the top of the conference in opponent's field foal percentage. Junior Danielle McCray scored a team-high 24 points and was 8-for-18 from the floor.
"At the beginning we handled their aggressiveness," McCray said. "We played with poise in the beginning. We executed our plays against whatever they threw at us."
Though their shots were falling, turnovers plagued the Jayhawks throughout the game. Kansas turned the ball over 26 times, which led to 29 A&M points.
"Transition is our game and I attribute that in the second half to getting a win," said senior guard Takia Starks. "When you're getting steals and getting blocks, that's our bread and butter. If we stick to that, we'll be fine."
Starks hit a 3-pointer with 8:20 remaining to tie former player Lisa Branch with 165 career 3-pointers. The All-American candidate is one 3-pointer away from breaking A&M's all-time record for career 3-pointers made.
Early struggles plagued the Aggies and Starks, who started 1-for-6 from the field. Kansas fought to a 35-29-halftime lead
"The first half was all Kansas," Blair said. "We were lucky to be down only six."
A&M regained its composure in the second half but could not regain control of the game from Kansas. Starks' record tying 3-pointer started an 11-1 run that put A&M on top for good.
"We didn't panic," Blair said. "Our kids are all about 'we'. We know who the stars are. The stars had to deliver but everybody else had to play as well. I was proud that my team found a way to win.
A&M improved to 17-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12 with the win. The Aggies remain in fourth place in the conference standings a half game behind Baylor.
"If your going to be able to play No. 7 on the road then you better be able to throw two punches, not one," said Kansas Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson. "In this league you better be able to weather a storm and answer one."
Forward Danielle Gant led the Aggies with 21 points while adding six rebounds and three steals to her performance.
"[A&M Head Coach Gary] Blair said I needed to put the team on my back, so that's what I did in the second half," Gant said.
Blair said he was proud of his team's performance and gave credit to the play of Kansas.
"Their execution was outstanding," Blair said. "I'd like to credit their offense for taking some tough shots. Kansas just did a great job of playing the game."
With 14:51 remaining in regulation, Aggie sophomore point guard Sydney Colson picked up her fourth foul and was forced to the bench. Freshman Sydney Carter replaced Colson to lead the Aggies past the Jayhawks.
"Sydney Carter was huge," Blair said. "Carter had to come in and bail us out like she has before."
Kansas shot 56.4 percent from the field against the Aggies' defense, which ranks at the top of the conference in opponent's field foal percentage. Junior Danielle McCray scored a team-high 24 points and was 8-for-18 from the floor.
"At the beginning we handled their aggressiveness," McCray said. "We played with poise in the beginning. We executed our plays against whatever they threw at us."
Though their shots were falling, turnovers plagued the Jayhawks throughout the game. Kansas turned the ball over 26 times, which led to 29 A&M points.
"Transition is our game and I attribute that in the second half to getting a win," said senior guard Takia Starks. "When you're getting steals and getting blocks, that's our bread and butter. If we stick to that, we'll be fine."
Starks hit a 3-pointer with 8:20 remaining to tie former player Lisa Branch with 165 career 3-pointers. The All-American candidate is one 3-pointer away from breaking A&M's all-time record for career 3-pointers made.
Early struggles plagued the Aggies and Starks, who started 1-for-6 from the field. Kansas fought to a 35-29-halftime lead
"The first half was all Kansas," Blair said. "We were lucky to be down only six."
A&M regained its composure in the second half but could not regain control of the game from Kansas. Starks' record tying 3-pointer started an 11-1 run that put A&M on top for good.
"We didn't panic," Blair said. "Our kids are all about 'we'. We know who the stars are. The stars had to deliver but everybody else had to play as well. I was proud that my team found a way to win.
A&M improved to 17-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12 with the win. The Aggies remain in fourth place in the conference standings a half game behind Baylor.
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