Texas A&M locked up the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament with a 57-49 win over Auburn women’s basketball Thursday night, Feb. 25, in Auburn Arena.
Many considered the Tigers (18-10, 8-7 SEC) a NCAA Tournament bubble team before tonight’s game against the 11th ranked Aggies, but even with a loss, Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said he believes the Tigers are more than worthy of a trip to the big dance.
“I want Terri [Williams-Flournoy] so badly to make the playoffs,” Blair said. “They deserve to be in. She’s got to go on the road and beat a tough Florida team on their senior day. That’s hard, but Auburn can do it."
Blair said he likes the Auburn women's basketball team, and they're the most improved team in the league since last year, according to him.
"Give Terri [Williams-Flournoy] a whole lot of credit," Blair said. "If I’m her AD, I’m extending that contract in a hurry because she’s one of the best that’s in the game that’s coaching.”
The Tigers built an eight-point advantage, their largest of the game, with 3:35 left in the second quarter, but the lead was cut to four heading into halftime. After a back and forth second half, the Aggies (21-7, 11-4 SEC) held Auburn to two made field goals and forced four turnovers over the final seven minutes of play to seal the game.
All but one of Texas A&M’s second half field goals were in the paint, and the Tigers turned the ball over 13 times over the final two quarters.
“[We] just have to take care of the ball at the end of the game,” Williams-Flournoy said. “In the fourth quarter we didn’t do a very good job taking care of the basketball.”
Brandy Montgomery, rebounding from a scoreless outing against Missouri, scored a team-high 13 points on 6 for 17 shooting. Jazmine Jones added nine points and six rebounds.
Khaalia Hillsman and Courtney Walker led the Aggies with 16 points apiece.
Auburn Arena was loud Thursday night with the largest attendance at a women's basketball game of the year, and Williams-Flournoy expressed her gratitude to the fans in the team’s final home game of the regular season.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” Williams-Flournoy said. “I think they’ve really bought into us making our move and being a better basketball team, and coming out to support us ... Once again, not only do we understand how important this game was, but the fans knew how important this game was and wanted to come out and cheer us on.”
Auburn women’s basketball will wrap up the regular season Sunday, Feb. 28, against the Florida Gators in Gainesville, Florida, at 1 p.m.
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