After nearly a month without hitting the road, the Auburn women's basketball team is set to travel to College Station, Texas, for a Sunday showdown with Texas A&M. The game, scheduled at Reed Arena, kicks off at 3 p.m. CT as both teams seek their first SEC win of the season.
The Tigers (11-3, 0-1) are looking to bounce back following a tough home loss to Tennessee in their SEC opener, ending their eight-game winning streak. Texas A&M (12-2, 0-1) also aims for redemption after falling on the road at Georgia in their conference opener.
In their last outing, Auburn faced a double-digit deficit early in the second half against Tennessee, ultimately succumbing to a 75-67 defeat at Neville Arena. Despite the setback, Mar'shaun Bostic led the Tigers with a season-high 17 points, supported by contributions from Honesty Scott-Grayson (16 points) and JaMya Mingo-Young (11 points). Tennessee's Rickea Jackson's impressive performance, with 24 points and 19 rebounds, proved decisive in the Lady Vols' comeback.
Looking ahead, an Auburn victory against Texas A&M would mark several milestones for the team. It would improve the Tigers' record to 12-3, the best mark through 15 games since the 2018-19 season (13-2). Moreover, it would be Auburn's first-ever win in College Station and the second consecutive victory over Texas A&M after breaking a 16-game losing streak in their last encounter.
This matchup represents the 18th meeting between Auburn and Texas A&M. While the Aggies claimed the first 16 meetings, Auburn secured a breakthrough home victory in their last encounter. The Tigers have yet to secure a win in College Station, standing at 0-7 in previous visits.
In the previous matchup on February 16, 2023, at Auburn, the Tigers emerged victorious with a 65-55 win. Aicha Coulibaly's 18 points, coupled with Sania Wells' flawless performance from the free-throw line, secured Auburn's historic win. The Tigers capitalized on 29 Aggie turnovers, showcasing a tenacious defense.
As Auburn faces Texas A&M, the Aggies boast a 12-2 overall record and are receiving votes in the AP poll. Texas A&M's defensive prowess is evident, ranking second nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 49.2 points per game. Janiah Barker leads the Aggies in scoring with 12.6 points per game, while Lauren Ware contributes as the top rebounder with 9.2 rebounds per game.
Adding a personal touch to the matchup, Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris and associate head coach Damitria Buchanan share ties with Texas A&M, with Harris serving as an assistant coach from 2007-12 and Buchanan playing for the Aggies from 2007-10.
As Auburn seeks to rebound from the recent loss and secure a notable road win, the clash with Texas A&M promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams eager to make their mark in the SEC standings.
The match will be broadcast on AU100 (100.3 FM), with Brit Bowen providing the radio commentary starting at 2:45 p.m. CT. Additionally, SEC Network will televise the game, scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. CT start time.
