Nov. 5, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The preseason No. 8 nationally-ranked Texas A&M women's basketball team hosts Texas A&M-Kingsville in an exhibition game on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at Reed Arena.
The Aggies, who return 12 letterwinners from last year's Big 12 Championship squad, were picked to finish second in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Poll. They are led by preseason All-Big 12 selection and Wade Trophy Watch list member Danielle Adams (Kansas City, Mo.) who averaged a team-best 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. Two additional Aggies, senior Sydney Colson (Houston, Texas) and junior Tyra White (Kansas City, Mo.), were named Preseason All-Big 12 honorable mention. A&M also boasts the fifth-best and highest-ever rated recruiting class in school history which includes 6-foot-5 center Karla Gilbert (College Station, Texas) and 5-foot-9 guard Kristen Grant (Arlington, Texas).
"I want to see our fans get excited on Sunday," said Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair who enters his eighth season in Aggieland. "I want them to be fired up because we've improved, especially in the last couple weeks. Our offense is starting to come around and we want our players to get their feet wet, set the tempo and execute in the exhibition game."
The Javelinas are a member of the Lone Star Conference in NCAA Division II. The team finished with an 18-10 overall record in 2009-10 and returns one starter and five letterwinners. Rochelle Ikeni, who averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds last year, is the squad's top returner.
Tickets for the exhibition game are priced at $13 for courtside seating, $11 for sideline, $9 for baseline and $7 for general admission, and can be purchased online at: www.12thmanfoundation.com, over the phone by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE or in person at the 12th Man Foundation Ticket Center and Reed Arena Box Office.
Prior to the game, members of Aggie Athletes Involved will be stationed outside of Reed Arena collecting coats and sweaters to benefit Twin City Mission. Fans that make a donation will receive a voucher for a free ticket to the women's basketball exhibition game and can redeem their voucher at the Reed Arena Box Office.
A&M hosts its Maroon and White game at noon on Saturday, Nov. 13. Admission is free to the public. The Aggies officially commence the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. versus UALR.
Live statistics for Sunday's exhibition game will be available on AggieAthletics.com.
Exhibition Sidebar...Prior to taking over as Texas A&M-Kingsville's head coach, Scott Hyland was former A&M women's basketball player Charlette Castile's head coach at Paris Junior College. Castile played under Hyland for two seasons (`02, `03) before transferring to Texas A&M to finish her career as an Aggie ('04, `05).