Spring Break
Tech rebounds push Raiders past Ags
By: Michael Teague
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: Sports
The No. 8 ranked Texas A&M women's basketball team was handed its fourth conference loss Wednesday with a 60-53 upset at Tech.
"Texas Tech deserves a lot of credit," A&M Head Coach Gary Blair told AggieAthletics.com.
"They played with more energy and made the majority of the hustle plays all night."
With six games remaining in the season, Texas A&M (18-5, 6-4) fell to sixth place in the Big 12 and is 3.5 games behind first place Oklahoma. Texas Tech (14-9, 4-5) improved to seventh place and trails the Aggies by 1.5 games.
The Lady Raiders defense held A&M to 37.3 percent from the field. The Aggies also struggled at the free-throw line, shooting 6-for-11. In contrast, Tech was 19-for-26 from the free-throw line.
"We made a lot of dumb fouls in this ballgame," Blair said. "A lot of it was not being in the right position or getting outhustled. They went to the foul line 26 times because they were the more aggressive team tonight."
Senior guard Takia Starks led A&M with a game-high 20 points, while senior forward Danielle Gant scored 12 points. A&M received little production from the bench that scored 47 points against Nebraska on Sunday. The Aggies' bench players were held to 15 points in Lubbock.
The Lady Raiders had five players score double-digit points including freshman Kierra Mallard, who led the team with 15. Juniors Jordan Murphee and Tilmila Martin both scored 12 points.
Tech held A&M to a season-low 31 rebounds.. Starks finished with a team-high six rebounds. Tech senior Dominic Seals dominated on the boards, leading Tech with 12 rebounds recording a double-double performance.
Both teams traded baskets in the early moments before Tech went on an eight-point run to take a 12-6 lead. The Lady Raiders held A&M to under 35 percent shooting in the first half and went into the locker room with a 25-22 lead.
A&M's offensive struggles carried over into the second half and Texas Tech seemed in control with a 42-32 lead. Gant's effort on both the offensive and defensive ends brought the Aggies to within four points with five minutes remaining. Tech's junior guard Jordan Murphee hit a 3-point with 3:38 remaining ending A&M's potential comeback.
"They made a run at the end tonight to protect their home court," Blair said. "There is not a lot of difference between both of our teams. I would like to think that I have the better team. When you are on the road in front of a big crowd in the Big 12, you are the underdog."
"Texas Tech deserves a lot of credit," A&M Head Coach Gary Blair told AggieAthletics.com.
"They played with more energy and made the majority of the hustle plays all night."
With six games remaining in the season, Texas A&M (18-5, 6-4) fell to sixth place in the Big 12 and is 3.5 games behind first place Oklahoma. Texas Tech (14-9, 4-5) improved to seventh place and trails the Aggies by 1.5 games.
The Lady Raiders defense held A&M to 37.3 percent from the field. The Aggies also struggled at the free-throw line, shooting 6-for-11. In contrast, Tech was 19-for-26 from the free-throw line.
"We made a lot of dumb fouls in this ballgame," Blair said. "A lot of it was not being in the right position or getting outhustled. They went to the foul line 26 times because they were the more aggressive team tonight."
Senior guard Takia Starks led A&M with a game-high 20 points, while senior forward Danielle Gant scored 12 points. A&M received little production from the bench that scored 47 points against Nebraska on Sunday. The Aggies' bench players were held to 15 points in Lubbock.
The Lady Raiders had five players score double-digit points including freshman Kierra Mallard, who led the team with 15. Juniors Jordan Murphee and Tilmila Martin both scored 12 points.
Tech held A&M to a season-low 31 rebounds.. Starks finished with a team-high six rebounds. Tech senior Dominic Seals dominated on the boards, leading Tech with 12 rebounds recording a double-double performance.
Both teams traded baskets in the early moments before Tech went on an eight-point run to take a 12-6 lead. The Lady Raiders held A&M to under 35 percent shooting in the first half and went into the locker room with a 25-22 lead.
A&M's offensive struggles carried over into the second half and Texas Tech seemed in control with a 42-32 lead. Gant's effort on both the offensive and defensive ends brought the Aggies to within four points with five minutes remaining. Tech's junior guard Jordan Murphee hit a 3-point with 3:38 remaining ending A&M's potential comeback.
"They made a run at the end tonight to protect their home court," Blair said. "There is not a lot of difference between both of our teams. I would like to think that I have the better team. When you are on the road in front of a big crowd in the Big 12, you are the underdog."
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