Despite double-digit point outings from Ravae Payne, Kristina Kana and Bri-Anna Soliz, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team suffered a first-round elimination at the hands of the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs, 74-51.
This was the third match-up of the season for these two teams. The Javelinas won the first contest 86-84 on their homecourt, lost the next matchup on the road, and finished their season with a March 8 loss to the Lady Buffs at the Comercia Center in Frisco.
The Javelinas were 19 for 64, making 29.7 percent of their attempts from the field and 5 for 17 from behind the three-point line, for a three-point percentage of 29.4 percent.
Payne led the scoring charge for the Javelinas with 14 points, eight of those coming from the free-throw line. Payne led the team’s passing and defensive games with three assists and three steals.
Kana made the most of her 23 minutes with a career-high 11 points. She was three-for-five from beyond the arc. She also dished off a team-high three assists.
Soliz, a freshman, was the other Javelina to break into the double-digit scoring column with 10 points. Soliz proved to be the Javelina’s main force around the rim, pulling down a team-high six rebounds.
The other Javelinas in the scoring column were Hannah Aucoin (8), Brynae Thompson (4), Danielle Meador (2) and Nicole Hutchins (2).
The loss left the Javelinas with a 9-20 record for 2019.
West Texas A&M was dominant offensively, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. They never failed to lead after the game’s first minute.
The game in the paint proved to be the difference maker for the Lady Buffs.
They pulled down 26 percent more rebounds and scored 44 of the 66 points made in the paint.
WTAMU was led by Lexy Hightower who shot 70 percent from the field, 80 percent from three-point land, and totaled 18 points.
The three other Lady Buffs who placed themselves into the double-digit scoring column included Nathalie Linden (13), Megan Gamble (11) and Abby Spurgin(10).
The Lady Buffs would go on to win the Lone Star Conference tournament by beating the Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce and Angelo State University.
They then continued their winning run with a home victory over the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico before falling in OT to Angelo State in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Semifinals.
This contest was the Javelina’s last under the leadership of head coach Wade Scott. Scott’s contract ended after this season.
Stay tuned for information on TAMUK’s national coaching search.
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