Texas A&M's losing slide reaches four games with 65-52 loss at Auburn
Texas A&M's slide reached four as Auburn (12-11, 3-7) got the best of the Aggies on Thursday night, 65-52. With the 13-point loss, A&M (10-12, 3-7) has yet to win a true road game in six opportunities.
With only eight available for the fourth-straight game, the Aggies (10-12, 3-7) have been in desperate need of a consistent scoring threat to keep the Maroon & White afloat.
Late sparks from Solè Williams and Janae Kent appeared promising, but it was too little too late.
With just 14 points at the break, A&M's lowest scoring output in a half this season plagued career-high nights from Williams and Kent.
The Aggies' offense has been out of sync since Aicha Coulibaly's injury. With the senior sidelined, A&M has yet to fire above a 40 percent clip from the field, and against any SEC team, a lack of adequate shots will get you beat every time.
At Auburn, the result was no different.
The sole bright spot was the sharpshooting from Williams and Kent. A pair of triples from Williams got the Aggies going early, and she continued to flaunt her range with another pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter.
Williams finished with a career-high 21 points and shot a lethal 71 percent behind the arc.
Kent, who had been quiet the entire first half, erupted in the final frame, knocking in a trio of consecutive 3-pointers to cut the deficit and reach a career-best in points with 15. Yet, it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' lead.
Taylor's squad switched up looks defensively, holding the Tigers to just 28 first-half points. On the other side of the court, Auburn suffocated the Maroon & White and did not allow a bucket in the second quarter until the 4:30 mark.
Additionally, 10 turnovers saddled A&M's offensive efforts in the second.
Mar'shaun Bostic gave the Aggies fits with her quickness and feel for the floor with a career-high seven steals and 10 assists. Auburn relied on a balanced scoring attack from Bostic, DeYona Gaston, Yuting Deng and Taylen Collins, who all finished in double-digits.
Outside of Williams and Kent, with 21 and 15, respectively, Jada Malone was the only Aggie to add more than six points. Four of the eight Aggies dressed out contributed just two or less.
Thursday night appeared to be a step in the right direction for A&M's guard play, but with such a shorthanded bench, maintaining that level of play will be a challenge in the coming weeks.
Up next, the Aggies will return home to face Missouri on Sunday, Feb 9. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.