WBB: TEXAS A&M DELIVERS THE UPSET AT HOME TO DEFEAT NO. 21 ALABAMA 72-69

Photo Credits: Texas A&M Athletics

Andie Wilson

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - After a six-game losing streak, the Aggies were able to deliver an exciting upset to get back into the win column. Facing No. 21 Alabama was no easy task but with the likes of Senior guard Ny’Ceara Pryor and Junior forward Fatmata Janneh, they were able to come out on top 72-69. 

From the opening tip it was clear the Aggies were not going down without a fight, keeping toe to toe with Alabama to end the first quarter up 14-12. Both teams fought hard towards the basket but the shots struggled to fall. Despite the lack of offense the Aggie defense picked up the slack, forcing Alabama to earn their points from the free throw line and fight for every rebound. In the final seconds of the second quarter the stadium erupted when Janneh made a tough contact and-one to create a huge momentum boost heading into the half ahead 34-29.

That boost ended up being short lived as Alabama came back strong with 25 points in the third quarter. Attacking the paint and forcing their way to the free throw line. Even with the comeback to lead 54-53 at the end of the quarter, that physicality ended up being their downfall. 

Both teams continued to battle it out heading in the fourth quarter. The Aggies were able to provide a response any time Alabama looked to edge them out of the competition. With 3:03 remaining Alabama's junior forward  Essence Cody was called for a crucial flagrant-1 technical foul leading to a pair of free throws made by Junior guard Salese Blow to put the Aggies in the lead again 67-65. Alabama continued to claw back to bring the score within one point with seven seconds left but it was Pryor who responded right back with two critical free throws of her own to secure the win for the Aggies. 

The Aggies set off to take on another ranked opponent, the No.16 Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, February 12th at 5:30 p.m.