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Texas A&M Rings in the New Year with 80-57 Victory Over Rice
COLLEGE STATION – Texas
A&M opened 2013 in a similar fashion to how 2012 ended, with an
impressive offensive performance led by Junior Kelsey Bone. The Aggies
were victorious over the Rice Owls by a score of 80-57 Tuesday
afternoon.
Bone continued her torrid pace of play
leading the game in both points and rebounds with 24 points and 14
rebounds. Tuesday’s performance was Bone’s fifth double-double of the
season and 19th of her career. The Houston native nearly had her first
career first half double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds at the
break. During Bone’s seven-game hot streak she is averaging 23.9 points
and 10.1 rebounds per game, having scored at least 15 points and
pulling down at least seven rebounds in each game over the stretch.
Bone now ranks second in the SEC in both scoring (18.1) and rebounding
(9.4) on the season.
The Aggies jumped out to a
quick 8-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game with Senior
Adrienne Pratcher scoring the first four A&M points. The run
continued over the next four minutes when the Aggies led 20-6 with
14:33 remaining in the game. Freshman Courtney Williams and
Courtney Walker combined for eight points in the run.
The
Aggies scored 49 points in the first 20 minutes for a new season high
in first half points, having led 49-30 at the break. During the opening
period A&M controlled the points in the paint outscoring the Owls
32-16 and owned a 23-4 advantage in points off of turnovers.
Pratcher had an impressive first 20 minutes with five points and a
game-high eight assists. At the intermission Senior Kristi Bellock was
4-of-5 from the floor for eight points and three rebounds.
“The
offense in the first 15 minutes was as good as I’ve seen it all
season,” Head Coach Gary Blair said. “We had all five players
contributing. It’s starting to come together hopefully at the right
time. I’m pleased with our effort. Bone and Gilbert were terrific
inside.”
Rice opened the second half with a 6-2
run to cut the Aggie lead to 15, but the Owls would get no closer for
the remainder of the game. In the second half Bone controlled the paint
going 5-of-7 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the free throw line for 12
points. After the break A&M continued dominating inside with
a 26-14 advantage of points in the paint and outscored the Owls 10-1 in
points off turnovers.
Pratcher’s impressive night
of 11 points and nine assists versus only one turnover catapulted her
to the lead in the SEC for assist-to-turnover ratio (3.1). Spearheaded
by Pratcher’s play the Aggie offense continued the trend of sharing the
basketball having tallied 18 assists against Rice. Tuesday’s game
marked the fifth straight game with at least 18 assists for the A&M
offense, the Aggies are averaging 21.4 over that stretch. During the
stretch Pratcher has had at least six assists in each game and has
averaged 8.4 assists per game over the last five games.
Bellock
continued her efficient play this season ending the game with 12 points
on 6-of-8 shooting along with four rebounds and three assists.
Junior Karla Gilbert also scored in double figures with 12 points along
with five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 20 minutes off the
bench.
The Aggies will return to Reed Arena to
open SEC play against Alabama on Thursday at 8 p.m. The game will be
the second part of a basketball double-header with Men’s Basketball
playing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday will continue the Half-Price Holiday
Hoops promotion along with inaugural SEC t-shirts being handed out at
the game.
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