KEY POINTS
- Texas A&M secured its first ranked road victory in five years by defeating Tennessee 82-74.
- Star guard Ny’Ceara Pryor led the Aggies with 22 points and 10 assists in Knoxville.
- Despite a career-high 29 points from Janiah Barker, the Lady Vols suffered their third straight loss.
The Texas A&M women’s basketball team achieved a major milestone on Thursday night. They defeated No. 21 Tennessee with an 82-74 victory at the Food City Center. This win marks the first road triumph over a ranked opponent for the Aggies since early 2021. The Aggies entered the game as significant underdogs but never trailed throughout the entire contest.
Ny’Ceara Pryor set the tone early for Texas A&M. The senior guard scored 13 points in the opening quarter alone. She finished the night with a stellar double-double, recording 22 points and 10 assists. Her performance was complemented by Fatmata Janneh, who also posted a double-double. Janneh contributed 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help secure the interior.
Texas A&M displayed exceptional shooting accuracy from the start. They hit 80 percent of their field goal attempts in the first quarter to build a lead. By halftime, the Aggies held a 47-42 advantage over the Lady Volunteers. Their perimeter shooting was particularly effective, making over 57 percent of their three-point tries during the game.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point in the matchup. Texas A&M unleashed a 14-0 scoring run that lasted over five minutes. During this stretch, the Aggie defense stifled Tennessee, holding them to just nine points in the period. This defensive surge allowed Texas A&M to enter the final frame with an 18-point cushion.
Tennessee refused to give up and launched a frantic comeback in the fourth quarter. Led by Janiah Barker, the Lady Vols used a 10-0 run to close the gap. Barker finished with a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. With just over two minutes remaining, Tennessee had trimmed the deficit to only two points.
The Aggies regained their composure in the closing moments. They finished the game on a 6-0 run to prevent the upset from slipping away. Defensive stops and key free throws allowed Texas A&M to seal the win on the road. The loss marks the third consecutive defeat for the Lady Volunteers as they struggle to find consistency.
Texas A&M now moves to an 11-11 overall record for the season. They look to build on this momentum as they return home to face Arkansas. Meanwhile, Tennessee must regroup quickly before visiting No. 11 Oklahoma. This upset reshapes the middle of the Southeastern Conference standings as the postseason approaches.
