COLLEGE STATION— Preseason All-SEC selection Kelsey Bone scored 14 points and Cierra Windham added 12 to lead No. 12 Texas A&M to a 102-29 victory over Division II Arkansas-Fort Smith Thursday evening before 3,509 in exhibition action at Reed Arena.
“I think we just came out ready to play, I thought all 14 kids were ready to play and they all did a great job,” Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair said. “The same thing that’s been going on in practice continued tonight and that’s been our post play of Bone, Gilbert and Bellock. When you throw Cierra Windham into the mix, she’s done a great job of filling whatever role the team needs her to fill. She went 4-for-4 from the line, and 4-for-4 from the field, five rebounds in 15 minutes.”
The Aggies, who return eight letterwinners from last year’s NCAA Sweet 16 squad, stifled their opponents from the opening tip--outshooting the Lady Lions 58 to 15 percent from the floor and holding a 51-28 edge on the glass.
A&M took command of the game midway through the first half, shutting down Arkansas-Fort Smith on a 33-0 run that lasted over 11 minutes of game action. The Aggies forced 18 first-half turnovers en route to taking a 51-14 lead into the locker room.
“Our guard play from the first three that were in there was great,” Blair added. “They all three allow bring something different to the game. I have the luxury of moving Standish to the two guard position. I think the four freshmen played well. This recruiting class is going to be good. Once they learn the system and get some games against better competition they’ll be great."
The Lady Lions, preseason favorites to win the Heartland Conference championship, were led by seven points each from Katie BenAmor and Porsha Donnerson.
Texas A&M will now look ahead to the season opener at No. 9 Louisville next Friday night. Tipoff at the KFC Yum! Center is set for 6 p.m. (CT).
