Texas A&M
3-0
Auburn
2-2
No. 8 Aggies Use Balanced Scoring Attack In Road Victory at Auburn
Nov 22, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2009
Auburn Box Score in PDF Format 
AUBURN, Ala. - The eighth-ranked Texas A&M women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to cruise to a 79-59 road victory at defending Southeastern Conference champion Auburn on Sunday afternoon at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.
With the win, the Aggies (3-0) claimed only their second-ever victory against an SEC opponent on the road. Preseason Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year Danielle Adams (Kansas City, Mo.) poured in a game-high 22 points in 23 minutes of play including a three-pointer which pushed A&M's lead out to five, 19-14, with 9:33 to go in a first half where Auburn (2-2) was able to remain within six points and in striking distance.
The A&M defense forced the Tigers to commit a season-high tying 23 turnovers and a dismal 38 percent (19-of-50) accuracy from the floor. Meanwhile, the Aggies shot 53.4 percent (31-of-58) from the field and drained seven three-pointers to hand Auburn its first home loss of the season and in the last 14 games since going a perfect 12-0 during the 2008-09 campaign.
Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention Tanisha Smith (Kansas City, Mo.) and sophomore Adaora Elonu (Houston, Texas) rounded out A&M's double-figure scorers with 14 and 13 points respectively. The Aggies' defensive resume also included 15 steals versus the Tigers, including a career-high six by Smith.
Alli Smalley led Auburn with 18 points, while 6-foot-7 center Keke Carrier added nine points and eight rebounds.
A&M will enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday break this week and will usher in the month of December with Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in a men's and women's basketball doubleheader at Reed Arena. The Aggie women will tipoff against the Ladyjacks at 6 p.m. (CT).
Tickets can be purchased online at: www.12thManFoundation.com/tickets, in person at the 12th Man Foundation Ticket Office and Reed Arena Box Office or by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.
POSTGAME NOTES
• For the third time this season, Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Tanisha Smith, Damitria Buchanan (3-0).
• With the win, the Aggies remain an undefeated 2-0 in the all-time series with Auburn. It marked their second-ever win on the road when playing an SEC school in 36 all-time seasons of Aggie Basketball. A&M's only SEC road win prior was a 67-61 victory at LSU during the 1993-94 season.
• Adaora Elonu recorded her ninth double-digit game of her career with a season-high 13 points versus Auburn.
• Danielle Adams has reached double figures in all three games this season with a game-high 22 against the Tigers in 23 minutes of play. It marked her second 20-point game of her career next to 24 versus then-No. 6 Duke on Nov. 15. Adams also added a career-and season-high five rebounds.
• Sophomore Kelsey Assarian (Naples, Fla.) tied career-highs in points (8) and rebounds (5) in 21 minutes of action.
• The A&M defense forced Auburn to a season-high tying 23 turnovers in the ballgame. The Tigers also had 23 at Temple on Nov. 17. The Aggies also held Auburn to its second-fewest points of the season (59).
• The Aggies have shot 50 percent or better in two of three games played this season. Both were against 2009 NCAA Tournament participants in Duke (56.9) and defending SEC champion Auburn (53.4).
POSTGAME QUOTES
Texas A&M Head Coach Gary Blair
On the game ...
"We had a great game plan. We made some adjustments. We knew they would play zone with (KeKe) Carrier in there. When they went small, we made some great passes. When we looked at their size, we still thought we could score on them. You do that through penetration with your guards. We were getting some offensive rebounds and some put backs particularly in the second half. The key to the ballgame was the last five minutes of the first half. When it was a four-point ballgame, we made it a 10-point ballgame. We got a little tired in there. We were rotating eight to nine players. When you can shoot 53 percent on the road, 7 out of 13 from the three, 10 out of 12 from the line and only get outrebounded by two, you've had a pretty good game. Give credit to my staff. They did a great job of preparation."
On balanced scoring against Auburn ...
"We had solid play particularly from (Sydney) Carter at the point and (Kelsey) Assarian inside. Danielle Adams hit a big three for us and made some easy baskets. Right now, the best thing about our team is balance. Our opponents don't know who to stop. We are trying to have four players in double figures every game and still play our pressure defense. This was the best job that we've done on the press this year. We were able to force some turnovers and tire them out a little. They were running what I describe as the `Kansas State offense' - dribble, dribble, dribble, don't turn it over and eventually try to beat you in the last 10 seconds with (Alli) Smalley as a shooter or (KeKe) Carrier on the lob. Those are two very good players for Auburn. We play defense for the whole possession at Texas A&M. I thought we were solid on both ends of the court today."
Texas A&M Sophomore Forward Adaora Elonu
On getting the win on the road ...
"The road is a hard place to play and I think we passed the test. We played against a very good Auburn squad. We just got out there and did what we normally do in practice. Our balanced scoring today was key for us. Our opponents can't target just one person on our team this season."
Texas A&M Junior Forward/Center Danielle Adams
On her 22 points and the team's defensive effort against Auburn's post players ...
"Basically, our game plan was to beat (KeKe) Carrier down in transition. We tried our best to get up-and-down the floor. I did what I had to do out there. I thought we did perfect as a team (in the rebounding department). I can't be happier than what we did today."
Auburn Head Coach Nell Fortner
On the game ...
"Texas A&M is an excellent team and I thought they exploited us. They turned our turnovers into points for them. We have a lot of work to do and it is disappointing to lose, but we are not discouraged. We just have to get better."
