Texas A&M
8-3
Oklahoma
9-2
No. 18 Women Rally to Beat No. 17 OU
Dec 20, 2015 | Women's Basketball
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)-- No. 18 Texas A&M rattled off a 23-3 run in the second half to storm back to defeat No. 17 Oklahoma 74-68 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge at Chesapeake Energy Arena in a women's basketball game Sunday.
The Aggies (8-3) and Sooners (9-2) traded the lead nine times and had 10 ties in a back-and-forth game, but Texas A&M took control of the game for good by rattling off a 23-3 run that spanned 10 minutes and gave A&M a 60-48 advantage.
Oklahoma led 37-30 at halftime after going on a 9-2 run over the last 3:29 of the second quarter. The Sooners led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before A&M stormed back.
Courtney Walker, a native of nearby Edmond, Okla. playing in front of nearly 100 friends and family members, had 18 points and eight rebounds. Courtney Williams was A&M's leading scorer with 23 points and seven rebounds.
Taylor Cooper, from nearby Shawnee, Okla., drilled a 3-pointer and had an A&M career-high six rebounds, playing in front of nearly 100 friends and family members.
Chelsea Jennings added 12 points.
The Aggies return to action on Tuesday, December 22 to host Little Rock in an SEC Network game inside Reed Arena.
NOTES
·The Aggies, who had trailed by as many as 10 points, rattled off a 23-3 run in the second half that spanned 10:00 (6:22 3rd Quarter to 6:22 4th Quarter) to take a 60-48 lead.
·The Aggies improve to 8-3 on the season, while the Sooners fall to 9-2
·Texas A&M is 3-2 against ranked opponents this year, and has won four of six against ranked teams, dating back to last season
·The Aggies have won three of their last four games against ranked teams away-from-home, dating back to last season
·A&M has won eight of their last nine meetings against Oklahoma
·Courtney Walker, from nearby Edmond, Okla., scored in double digits for the 10th time this season and 83rd time in her career. Walker had nearly 100 friends and family members in attendance.
·Courtney Williams scored 20+ points for the third time this season and 15th time in her career
- She scored in double figures for the ninth time this season and 65th time in her career
·Chelsea Jennings scored in double figures for the fourth time this season and the third time in her last four games. She has nine double-figure scoring games in her career.
·Taylor Cooper, from nearby Shawnee, Okla., made a 3-pointer and had a Texas A&M career-high six rebounds. Cooper had nearly 100 friends & family members in attendance.
·Danni Williams had a career-high six rebounds
·Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair is 703-285 in his career and 295-122 in 13 seasons at Texas A&M. With the win, Blair passes Little Rock coach Joe Foley for ninth among active coaches. The two face off on Tuesday.
·The Aggies return to action on Tuesday, December 22 at 12 p.m. inside Reed Arena, Little Rock visits for a game on the SEC Network.
QUOTES
Texas A&M Head Coach Gary Blair
Opening statement:
"First, this is good for women's basketball. This is right in the middle of Big 12 country and Sherri Coale country. Sherri has meant more to women's basketball in this state than any person possibly in any state. She does it with class; she does it the way it should be. Now this ball game obviously when we got into foul trouble, our offense was sputtering; we had no offense in the second quarter. I was deep into my bench. We couldn't run what I wanted to without Jordan (Jones) in there. I thought Oklahoma did a great job, particularly early. They hit their first three 3-pointers, and then they hit their last two 3-pointers. But in between they missed some open shots, and I'm sure she (Sherri Coale) would like to have back. But at the same time, we defended the three a little bit better in the middle part of the game. Obviously the game was won in the third quarter."
On what changed in the third quarter defensively:
"We started paying attention more to their shooters. We started switching 1-4 and Kaylon Williams wasn't getting those easy bunnies. Khaalia (Hillsman) got a little bit tougher in there. We said we had to stay even at the four and five position. What changed was we started playing a defense that we are capable of playing and that is where the game was won, on the defensive end. We had to hunt and peck on defense."
Texas A&M Guard Courtney Walker
On being able to play in Oklahoma:
"I think it was just a blessing, the chances that the pieces fall into place like that. When I first came to Texas A&M we weren't doing the SEC/ Big 12 Challenge. And then to end up having to play Oklahoma in Oklahoma, so I'm just happy to be able to come back and play. For my family to come see me was a great experience. I'm glad we won."
Texas A&M Forward/Guard Courtney Williams
On whether the game was won on the defensive end:
"Yes, especially in the third quarter. Oklahoma had 10 points, so obviously that will tell you something about the defense right there. I think defense had a lot to do with it, with their 3-point shots. Taking away their right-hand drives because when we made them go left they didn't finish as well and missed a few bunnies. And just being focused and getting back in transition defense."
