Texas A&M
U.S. National Team
U.S. National Team Defeats No. 11 Texas A&M
Nov 11, 2007 | Women's Basketball
November 11, 2007
The U.S. National Team improved to an undefeated 6-0 on its 2007 College Tour as the Olympic squad defeated the 11th-ranked Texas A&M women?™s basketball team, 75-24, Sunday night before a school-record exhibition crowd of 3,751 at Reed Arena.
Junior Danielle Gant (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored a team-high nine points for the Aggies who could not get into an offensive rhythm all night shooting just 17.2 percent (11-of-64) from the floor against the U.S. squad. Junior Takia Starks (Houston, Texas) and sophomore Damitria Buchanan (Houston, Texas) each contributed four points in the team?™s toughest matchup to date.
The U.S. led 33-10 at halftime with 15 of its points coming in the paint from three-time Olympian Lisa Leslie. She ended the night with 17 points, while former Georgia standout Kara Braxton paced the U.S. with a game-high 18.
In the second half of play, A&M inched closer to the U.S. on back-to-back buckets by Starks and Gant with 11:52 and 11:36 remaining in regulation, 45-19. It still wasn?™t enough as the U.S. pulled out to a 30+ lead and never looked back.
Up next, A&M (1-0) will take on Prairie View A&M (1-2) in its home season opener on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at Reed Arena. Ticket prices range from $11-$5 and can be purchased at The 12th Man Foundation Ticket Center at Kyle Field or the Reed Arena Box Office.
Postgame Notes?...For the third consecutive game, Texas A&M used the starting lineup of A?™Quonesia Franklin, Takia Starks, Danielle Gant, Ashlaa Horton and La Toya Micheaux?...The Aggies trailed by less than four points in the first nine minutes of regulation?...A&M reset a school attendance record for a women?™s exhibition game with a crowd of 3,751 fans at Reed Arena?...The Aggie defense held the U.S. to its lowest first-half production (33 points) against a college tour team?...Big 12 Conference foe Baylor and Arizona State previously held the U.S. to 34 first-half points?...A&M also forced the U.S. squad to commit 21 turnovers in the ballgame...The Aggies used a WNBA regulation size ball in the contest?...They also honored local veterans for their service to our country with a special tribute video at halftime.
POSTGAME QUOTES
TEXAS A&M HEAD COACH GARY BLAIR
On the U.S. National Team ?...
?We caught them on a good night. Their execution was very good. We were not on the same level as the four teams that played them prior to us. We have to go back and play better. We expect more. I hope our fans enjoyed seeing what high level basketball is, because they saw quality at its best. They are very unselfish, do a very good job of sharing the basketball and are in tremendous shape. We are going use this loss as a plus. It was a poor shooting night and we will learn by watching them on film.?
On the first half of play ?...
?They (A&M players) admire those girls, but they did not back down on them. We are normally not contested as well as the U.S. did on us. I think our kids got a little gun shy. It was a clinic and we learned. We will get ready for Prairie View this week. Let?™s give the U.S. team credit. They are No. 1 in the world and we are a better basketball team than what we gave to our fans tonight.?
JUNIOR FORWARD/GUARD DANIELLE GANT
On the game ?...
?It was fun to go up against them. Motion is a key offense for everything. We were not able to produce anything offensively. They just played good defense on us. We knew what to expect with the U.S. Team. It was a great experience to go out and play with the best in the world.?
U.S. HEAD COACH ANNE DONOVAN
On the game ?...
?It was another good game for USA Basketball. I felt we played hard defensively and took them out of their flow on offense. They (A&M) have great athletes and we forced them to take a lot of outside jumpers. Their defense took us out of our offense, so give A&M credit for that. We are continuing to work on our own game in preparation for Beijing.?
On the play of three-time Olympian Lisa Leslie ?...
?Tonight, she played really well down low. That?™s where we need her to play. The chemistry is starting to come together for our team. Our perimeter players can now take the pressure off of her inside.?
U.S. GUARD DIANA TAURASI
On the game ?...
?We came in with a game plan defensively. I think we did a good job against their perimeter players tonight and we knew that we would focus on them. Obviously, they won the Big 12 Championship last year and have a good back court. (Takia) Starks and (A?™Quonesia) Franklin had a tough night. They are tough players and sometimes you have nights were you just don?™t hit shots. Overall, I think tonight?™s win is another good step for USA Basketball.?
