CHICAGO- Courtney Walker scored 25 points to lead fifth-ranked Texas A&M to a 76-68 win over No. 18 DePaul Friday night in the season opener at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago.
With the game tied at 66 with 2:45 left to play, Texas A&M (1-0) closed the game on a 10-2 run. DePaul (0-1), had tied the game three separate times in the second half, but never took a second-half lead.
Khaalia Hillsman, making her collegiate debut in her hometown of Chicago, scored 10 points off of 5-of-6 shooting. Jordan Jones also reached double figures with 10 points, her ninth double-figure scoring game in her career.
Walker, the Preseason All-American, shot 9-of-19 from the field, and scored exactly 25 points for the second straight matchup against DePaul, after having that total in the Aggies' 84-65 win over DePaul in the 2014 Sweet 16. She has scored 20+ points in 15 games in her career.
The win is the Aggies ninth in their past 10 season openers. Overall, the Aggies are 28-13 in their 41 season openers.
The Aggies return to the court on Saturday, November 15 at 4 p.m. to face New Mexico in Chicago. Texas A&M returns to Reed Arena on November 19 at 7 p.m. to host former SWC foe Rice.
Â
Â
Tipping the season with DePaul and Texas A&M in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/kYmxdRcVbc
— Graham Hays (@grahamhays) November 15, 2014
Courtney Walker of @AggieWBB has the most beautiful pull-up jumper...Rip Hamilton Style #NCAAW
— LaChina Robinson (@Lives2Inspire) November 15, 2014
Good night for Aggies on 'winning' front: A&M mens hoops 109-68 over NW State, womens hoops 76-68 over DePaul, soccer 5-0 over HBU in NCAAs.
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) November 15, 2014
HIGHLIGHTS: No. 18 DePaul drops a tough 76-68 game to No. 5 Texas A&M. Courtesy of the @BIGEAST Digital Network http://t.co/fkuQMcxwit
— DePaul Athletics (@DePaulAthletics) November 15, 2014