COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M got out to a quick 15-2 lead midway through the first quarter and never looked back as the Sugar Bears suffered an 84-27 defeat at Reed Arena on Saturday.
Unlike last year's trip to College Station – where the Sugar Bears were tied at halftime and trailed by a single possession in the fourth quarter – this year's game got out of hand early as the Aggies (6-2) built a 23-4 lead after the first quarter and led 41-12 at the half. They continued to pull away in the second half – outscoring the Sugar Bears (4-4) 43-15 over the final two quarters, including a 21-4 advantage in the fourth.
"This was one embarrassing, embarrassing loss, because of our lack of effort," said Central Arkansas head coach Sandra Rushing. "There's absolutely no excuse for coming out, laying down and not fighting. I don't care how big someone is, or who it is, you've got to have that fight. I'm disappointed in the effort. We've got to find a way to get these kids to play hard."
The Aggies shot 50.8 percent (33 of 65) from the field while keeping the Sugar Bears to just 20.8 percent (11 of 53); and converted 76.2 percent of their 21 free-throw attempts while the Sugar Bears hit just 4 of 8.
A&M outrebounded the Sugar Bears 50-30, getting 17 offensive rebounds that they would convert to 15 second-chance points. The Sugar Bears committed 23 turnovers, which led to Texas A&M finishing the game with a 30-0 advantage in points off turnovers.
Kamry Orr had 10 points and 2 of the Sugar Bears' 3 assists; while Keturah Bingham and Mekaylan Hicks each had 4 points. Hannah Langhi pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds, with Hicks and Taylor Sells each getting 5.
The Aggies had 12 players score, with four in double figures led by 15 from Kayla Wells. Chennedy Carter added 14 points and 7 assists, and Ciera Johnson had 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
The Sugar Bears return to action on Dec. 17 in the Farris Center against Williams Baptist before a trip to Kansas State on Dec. 20 to round out non-conference play. The 18-game Southland slate begins Dec. 31 in the Farris Center against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
