Aggies guard Ny’Ceara Pryor and forward Fatmata Janneh both had double-doubles in A&M’s second straight victory. Despite having more blocks (3-0), rebounds (33-31) and more points off turnovers (25-20), Tennessee could not compete with A&M’s season-high 11 3-pointers in its third straight loss.
Pryor led the way for A&M 22 points, 10 assists and five steals on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including one 3-pointer. Janneh finished with 17 points and 12 defensive rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.
Tennessee forward Janiah Barker sank two free throws with a little more than two minutes left in the game to make it 76-74, but Janneh answered with two free throws to extend the lead. Lemyah Hylton drained a 3-pointer and Janneh made another free throw for the Aggies to send the Lady Vols back to Rocky Top.
Janneh also had a career-high night from behind the arc and contributed to A&M’s 58% 3-point shooting, making 2 of 3. The Aggies jumped to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to Janneh’s presence in the paint. Barker’s hands started heating up, but so did A&M shooters and not just Janneh.
Hylton added to the Aggies’ total with 12 points and shot 50% from 3-pint range and was 5 of 9 from the field. Tennessee shot 34.5% from 3-point range and 40% from the field. Barker was the main offensive force for the Lady Vols and finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, shot 9 of 13 and was perfect from both the 3-point line and free throw line.
The Aggies hope to extend their winning streak to three Sunday when Arkansas comes to Reed Arena.