Losing skid reaches seven as Texas A&M falls to Florida at Reed, 74-52

Still searching for the win column.

Texas A&M women's basketball (10-14, 3-10 SEC) lost its seventh straight contest to Florida (14-13, 5-8) on Thursday, 74-52.

In A&M's sixth game with eight players available, the same problems arose. The injury-riddled Aggies lack the depth and physicality to stay competitive for 40 minutes.

The disappointing showing marks the fifth 20-point loss to an SEC opponent this season, with four coming during the slide.

Tied 17-17 in the early minutes of the second frame, a woeful quarter led to A&M's demise in the penultimate regular-season showing at Reed Arena.

A pair of back-to-back jumpers from Amirah Abdur-Rahim and Solè Williams kicked the second frame off positively for the Aggies and knotted the ballgame.

However, A&M did not score a single point the rest of the half.

"They did a good job of pressing us off of ball screens,” A&M head coach Joni Taylor said. “We didn't adjust quickly enough to it. It caused us to speed up. We rushed a ton of shots. When we did get to the free-throw line, we didn't convert."

A&M's defense was exposed yet again, allowing Florida to go on an inexcusable 21-0 run that stretched over eight minutes.

While the defense struggled tremendously, the offensive attack proved to be wildly inconsistent, turning the ball over more (6) than points scored (4) or rebounds grabbed (5) in the quarter.

"We came out and made some adjustments, but we couldn't overcome it," Taylor said. "The second quarter was pretty detrimental to the game."

Down 21 at halftime, it was a game of catch-up from there.

Small outbursts from a handful of Aggies prevented an ice-cold offensive night while attempting to chip away at the deficit. The Maroon & White never did.

The Aggies failed to outscore the Gators in the final two quarters, leading to the 22-point loss. 

Williams led the Aggies with 13 points, and Sahara Jones and Lauren Ware provided double-figure nights. All three missed shots at the free-throw line, with the team firing at a 47.4 percent clip at the charity stripe.

"What we are green at is inside," Jones said. "Getting the ball to the post, getting the ball inside, getting fouls called, getting to the free-throw line and making free throws. I know, today, I did make free throws how I usually make free throws. That is something we constantly have to do."

In desperate need of a win, A&M's final stretch of opponents resides in the lower half of the conference standings. Opportunities to end the losing streak are there, but it will take an inspiring full-game effort to end the regular season on a high note.

"Everybody can do more. That is the conversation we are constantly having." Taylor said. "If we show up and do what we have done, knowing we are injured and down, it will not be enough. Doing more is part of our daily conversation. Do more."

Up next, the Aggies will continue to search for a win in Starkville, taking on Mississippi State (18-9, 5-8) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.