Texas A&M
15-5, 6-3Big 12
Texas Tech
15-6, 3-6Big 12
No. 16 Aggies Down No. 25 Texas Tech, 67-55
Feb 01, 2012 | Women's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Sydney Carter scored 17 points and Adaora Elonu added 16 to lead No. 18 Texas A&M to a 67-55 win over No. 25 Texas Tech on Wednesday night.
The Aggies held the Lady Raiders without a field goal for 6 minutes and Texas Tech started the second half 1-12 from the floor. Texas Tech (15-6, 3-6 Big 12 Conference) shot 30 percent for the game.
The Lady Raiders managed to cut the lead to six with a minute to play on a 3 by Casey Morris. But Texas A&M (15-5, 6-3) made all 10 of its free throws to seal the win.
Morris finished with 14 points for Texas Tech, which has lost six of seven.
White added 12 points for A&M, while Bone had 11 points and 11 rebounds as four Aggie players scored double figures.
Texas A&M never trailed and led 30-27 at halftime.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES
- For the eighth time this season, Texas A&M used the starting lineup of Alexia Standish, Sydney Carter, Tyra White, Adaora Elonu and Kelsey Bone...The Aggies are 6-2 with this starting lineup.
- Texas A&M improves to 18-54 in the all-time series with Texas A&M and has won four of the last five matchups.
- The Aggies are 6-3 on TV this season.
- Texas A&M blocked a first-half season-high six shots, while its nine blocked shots for the game were the second most this season.
- A&M allowed Tech just five field goals in the second half, a season-low, while holding Tech to a second-half season-low 20 percent shooting from the field.
- For the eighth time this season, at least four A&M players scored in double figures.
- For the third time this season, the Aggies held their opponent below 30 percent shooting from the floor.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- White has now started in 78 straight games, a streak that started on Jan. 4, 2010 against Lamar.
- White has scored double figures 26 of her last 28 games, Elonu scored in double figures for the 15th time this season, Carter for the 12th time and Bone for the Bone for the 14th.
- Bone tallied her 13th career and fourth double-double as an Aggie.
- Carter moved into fifth place in career 3-point field goals tonight with 118.
- Karla Gilbert added 6 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
POSTGAME QUOTES
A&M HEAD COACH GARY BLAIR
Opening Statement
That was just a good basketball game to watch because the kids were getting after it. All of a sudden I have size for the first time and eventually it pays off. My 5 position produced 18 rebounds and 17 points tonight; that was a big difference. We're going to work. You can see we're not the team we were last year, but we're a work in progress.
On Sydney Carter's play
Carter did an excellent job. She wasn't getting beat back door and if she did get beat, (Adaora) Elonu was rotating over to give her some help and we were blocking some shots.
On A&M's advantage in points off turnovers
It's what we have to do. We're having to pound it (inside) more and we're having to become more physical. I'm more pleased with 29 percent (Tech's shooting percentage).
On what A&M changed at the half
We changed a little bit of what we were doing offensively and we started getting through the screens (in the second half).
On if this was a special trip (being his last in the Big 12 to Lubbock)
Its memories. Ya'll have a lot to be proud of. I have a lot to be proud of because I'm a Red Raider. I'll be back whether there is a ball game or not. Folks, eventually I'll see you again. I love coming back here. Give Kristy (Curry) credit for what she's doing here at Tech. Across the country, she's well respected.
SENIOR GUARD SYDNEY CARTER
On A&M's defense
I think we just got back to our old ways. I really needed to pick it up and show everyone my defense hasn't gone anywhere this year. I needed to pressure (Tech's Monique) Smalls on the ball and help my teammates out more. We had an all-around defensive effort today.
On her defensive effort on Tech's Monique Smalls
I feel like I'm making my comeback. Coach Blair said to me today that it was time for me to step up and be great. It was about time for a senior to answer the call. Coach Schaefer has stayed on me in practice saying, "Carter's not going to give up any more dribble penetration this year". That was my focus today, to make sure she wasn't getting those baskets she likes, going to the rim, and if she was going to make baskets today, she was going to have to make jump shots. I pressured her and did a good job.
SENIOR FORWARD ADAORA ELONU
On four A&M players in double figures
It's good for us because we know teams can't just focus on one player. And if we all show up and play like we did, we'll come up with games like this. Coach Blair said before if we all have a solid, balanced game, we'll win 90 percent of the games.
On the physicality of the game
We knew they were going to be physical, but we like to play physical as well, so it's nothing we were surprised at. We just accepted the challenge and played with them.
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