Texas A&M women’s basketball is looking to rebound from a challenging start to their Southeastern Conference (SEC) season as they prepare to face No. 6 LSU at Reed Arena on Thursday, January 22, before heading to Columbia, Missouri, to take on the Missouri Tigers on Sunday, January 25. After a tough 1-4 start in conference play, capped off by an 80-35 defeat to rival No. 4 Texas, the Aggies are eager to turn their fortunes around.
In the recent Lone Star Showdown, Texas A&M was competitive in the first half, only trailing Texas by 10 points at halftime. However, the second half saw Texas dominate, outscoring the Aggies 46-10. Head coach Joni Taylor emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum throughout the game, particularly in the closing quarters. “We have to figure out how to finish the third and fourth quarters,” she remarked.
Shooting consistency is a critical area for improvement, as Texas A&M has seen its shooting percentage drop to 30.4% in conference games, a significant decline from the 40.4% they achieved in non-conference play. The team must channel its focus into upcoming games, flushing the negativity from their rocky start and preparing for a challenging schedule ahead.
Junior guard Janae Kent conveyed the team’s mindset moving forward, stating, “We got to get back in the film room, we got to figure out how to be better in the second half, but we have to learn from this game and move on.” Facing LSU will undoubtedly be tough, considering the Tigers’ impressive 17-2 record, with both of their losses coming from SEC opponents.
Texas A&M will need to closely monitor LSU’s senior guard Flau’jae Johnson, who is having a standout season with a 46% three-point shooting percentage and averaging 14.9 points per game. Another player to watch is junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, known for her ability to draw fouls, leading the Tigers in free throws made this season.
LSU boasts a potent offense that ranks first in the nation with 99.9 points per game—over nine points ahead of the next closest team—and is also third in rebounds, averaging 48.9 per game. This high-powered offense presents a significant challenge for the Aggies.
Looking ahead to their matchup against Missouri, the Aggies may find a more favorable landscape, as the Tigers also struggle in SEC play with a 1-5 conference record. Missouri’s junior guard Grace Slaughter is a key player for them, leading her team with 19 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, making her a player to contain for Texas A&M.
Missouri’s defense leaves much to be desired, ranking second worst in the SEC by allowing 72.1 points per game. This offers Texas A&M an opportunity to capitalize on the Tigers’ defensive shortcomings. Kent reiterated the team’s need to secure a win, stating, “We need to figure out how to get a win at the end of the day.”
These two upcoming matchups are vital for the Aggies’ aspirations for postseason play. Currently sitting at the bottom of the conference standings, Texas A&M is in urgent need of wins to enhance its position ahead of the SEC Tournament. With determination and a strategic focus, the Aggies hope to turn things around and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.