- Kailyn Gilbert scored the most points in an Aggie debut since the turn of the century, pouring in 30 and adding 11 rebounds with six assists.
- Texas A&M outrebounded the Lady Lions 50-27.
- The Aggies return to the court Thursday, Nov. 5 against Louisiana inside Reed Arena at 8 p.m.
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M’s Kailyn Gilbert registered the most points in an Aggie debut since the turn of the century Monday inside Reed Arena to lead the team past UAPB, 77-54, on opening night.
Gilbert shot 11-of-20 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out six assists. The outing was Gilbert’s fifth career double-double.
Miyah Verse and Kaniya Boyd also had stellar debuts for Texas A&M (1-0). Verse scored 13 points and grabbed six boards, while Boyd had seven points and four rebounds. Emerald Parker pitched in 10 points and hauled in eight boards, and Anita Franchini brought down nine rebounds.
The first bucket of the season went to freshman Rieyan DeSouze after hitting a corner 3-pointer with 8:31 left in the first period. Texas A&M would go on to outrebound UAPB (0-1) 17-7 in the first 10 minutes, which helped the Maroon & White take a 15-8 advantage into the second quarter. Six different Aggies scored in the opening period of the season.
Gilbert erupted in the second quarter, scoring nine of the team’s 18 points. The graduate transfer used some elite off-the-dribble shot making, going 4-of-7 from the field in the frame. The Aggies extended their lead to 33-21 in the first half before the intermission.
The Lady Lions clawed their way back into the game, winning the third quarter, 23-20. Gilbert carried the load offensively for the Aggies, adding an additional 11 points to her total. After 30 minutes, the Maroon & White still held onto a 57-44 advantage.
Texas A&M came out and finished the season opener with a bang after the lack luster third frame. Seven Aggies pitched in points in the final period, led by Gilbert who had seven to secure her career best of 30 points. The Maroon & White shot 58.8% (10-of-17) from the field in the quarter and won the contest, 77-54. The Aggies ended the game on an 11-0 run.
Texas A&M returns to the court Thursday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. inside Reed Arena against Louisiana. Tickets can be purchased at 12thmanfoundation.net. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the contest.
POSTGAME NOTES
RECORDS & SERIES NOTES
- Joni Taylor’s career record moves to 11-1 in season openers and to 193-140 overall.
- Texas A&M improves to 3-0 against UAPB in the all-time series.
TEAM NOTES
- Texas A&M began with a starting lineup of Rieyan DeSouze, Kailyn Gilbert, Janae Kent, Miyah Verse and Emerald Parker (1-0).
- The Aggies did not allow a Lady Lion offensive rebound in the first 19:07 of the contest, owning a 12-4 advantage on the offensive glass in the first half.
- The Maroon & White out-rebounded UAPB, 50-27.
- Texas A&M shot 36.4% (8-of-22) from beyond the arc.
- The offensive effort was spread out with nine Aggies filling the points column. Kailyn Gilbert, Emerald Parker and Miyah Verse all recorded double figures.
- The Aggies finished the game on a 19-4 run over the last 6:35, including a game-best 11-0 surge to close out the game.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Scored her first career points with a 3-pointer in the first quarter, which was also the first points of the season for Texas A&M.
- Posted her first career points (3), rebounds (2) and assists (4).
- Scored the most points in an Aggie debut since the turn of the century (1999-2000).
- Posted a career high in points with 30, shooting 11-for-20 from the field and sinking a career-high 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.
- Recorded her fifth career double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
- Finished one shy of her career high for rebounds with 11.
- Registered the second-best assist tally of her career with six.
- Came up just two points shy of her career high, scoring 13 points while shooting 6-for-9 from the field, marking her seventh career game with double digits.
- Logged her first points in the Maroon & White with a mid-range jumper in the first quarter.
- Matched her career high with three blocks.
- Scored 10 points for her 14th career double-digit performance.
- Played a career-high 26 minutes.
- Tied her career high in assists with two.
- Equaled her career high with nine rebounds.
- Tallied the first two assists of her career.
- Matched her career high with two made field goals.
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