37-31 A&M, U5. Gooden shooting 3 at the line after the break.

I mentioned this is the last game thread, but Fisher is a maddening defender. Very athletic, she anticipates plays well, jumps in passing lanes and contests effectively. But her footwork is so lazy at times and she has a propensity to reach unnecessarily. There's no reason she shouldn't be an elite defender by the time she graduates.

Gooden makes her 3 FTs.

Gooden makes all 3. Great to see.

37-36 A&M. Veteran and composed response to A&M's initial flurry.

Small thing: A&M targeted Ennis on that last possession (at about 2:45) and the freshman did really well to see the play and fight through contact. They ran her through multiple screens, including an elevator, and it's clear that she saw what was developing.

39-36 A&M. Austin going to the line for 2. Also a tech on A&M for a (soft) push after the play.

Rice splits the FTs. 39-38 A&M, Rice ball.

Ugh we need to make our free throws, especially in close games.

45-44 Rice, end of 3Q. Would've been really easy to fold after A&M scored the first 8 in the quarter. Really mature response. I criticized Fisher's defense above, but she had 2-3 really good plays late in the quarter. I do think that A&M did us a favor by not going back to Malone. Her physicality and body positioning gave us a lot of trouble in the first two quarters. She checked in at the end of the 3Q, so expect to see her in the first few minutes of the 4Q.

Wouldn't be shocked to see Fisher and Jackson play the entire 4th quarter.

49-44 Rice. Good start to the quarter. BLOB layup for Bellamy and then two Jackson FTs.

Massive, massive turning point in the 4Q. A&M hits a 3 after missing 2 FTs. Then Bellamy misses a literal wide open layup. What should've been Rice ball leading 49-44 turns into A&M at the FT line down 49-47.

Crosthwaite with a big 3 (on what looked like a lost possession). 52-48 Rice.

Rice leads 54-49 at the U5. With the ball after the TO. Owens-Barnett with a shifty drive and then an A&M airball.

Edmonds with a brilliant call out of the TO but Crothswaite can't hit the open 3.

Hustle play by Austin and Rice leads 56-49.

(11-27-2022 04:44 PM)elw4796 Wrote:  Edmonds with a brilliant call out of the TO but Crothswaite can't hit the open 3.

...but she hits a 3 to force A&M to call timeout with 3:03 remaining.
59-51 Rice.

59-51 after another massive 3 from Crosthwaite. Follows some really good composure by Owens-Barnett. 3:03 left.

We've given up 3 layups in a row. I know we don't want to foul, but geez.

61-53 @ 2:03

I just can't understand the frequency of fouling when you have the lead with under 2 minutes to go. Use the clock!