Another game, another loss for the Tigers. This time falling 68-54 to No.12 Texas A&M in College Station.
Although the Aggies were the superior team, they did not run away with this game and the Tigers kept this game relatively close. This can partially be credited to the returns of Ann Jones and Jenna Deemer who had missed seven and nine games, respectively. Deemer had nine points off the bench while Jones saw 12 minutes of action.
The first quarter featured five ties and the Aggies entered the second period up by just three. Unfortunately, the game quickly turned in the second quarter when the Aggies went up by double-digits for the first time and entered the break up ten.
When LSU outscored A&M 19-14 in the third quarter, thanks to a 7-2 run to open the second half, an upset seemed plausible and the Tigers entered the final period down by just five. A jumper from Jenna Deemer early in the fourth quarter made it a three point game.
The one possession deficit was the closest LSU would come to tying the game. Texas a&M would extend the lead minutes later and went on an 8-4 run to establish a sizable lead, ultimately winning by 14. Rina Hill led all Tigers in scoring with 14 points. Alexis Hyder was just behind Hill in points, with 13. Akilah Bethel had ten rebounds in the loss. Although the offense played fairly well, shooting roughly 40% from the field, this marks the 16th consecutive game the Tigers have failed to eclipse 60 total points.
The loss also extends the Tigers’ losing streak to six. Currently sitting at eight wins this season, the Tigers have a chance to make history by becoming the first SEC team since the 2007-2008 season to record less than eight wins overall. Should LSU lose the final three games, it would tie the 04-05 Gamecocks for second most losses in a season by an SEC school since the 2001-2002 season.