Before I get to today’s game, I’ll recap a couple of others first. The Aggie Women beat the Chicago State Cougars 80-56 in a costly victory February sixth. Ron was at the game and reported that star player, Gia Pack, twisted her ankle really badly late in the fourth quarter. With the game that in hand, I don’t know why the coach had her in. Gia had her usual double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Tayelin Grays busted out with 15 points, a career high.
At the same time, the Aggie Men were playing in Chicago against the Cougars. Chicago State only had seven players suited up to play. Two players fouled out with ten minutes left in the second half. I think you can do the math there. To avoid this game becoming a complete five-on-four farce, Coach Jans called off the dogs and Tennessee Owens and Bryce Rewalt saw a lot of playing time. The Aggies won 71-49 anyway. Shawn Williams led with 15 points. Evan Gilyard had 12 playing in front of friends and family there. Jack Nixon talked to a couple of former Aggie players at halftime that live in the Chicago area. There were a good number of Aggie fans in the crowd.
And just to recap all the Aggie Basketball action today. After today’s Women’s game against the Roos, the Men played in Kansas City in front of a sellout crowd. I was listening to it on the radio while at Aggie Softball. (I feel like I’m doing a bunch of name-dropping at a party here.) The Aggies were not playing terribly well in the first half, but Terrell Brown tied it with a three right before the half, though the Roos made a last second three to make it, 30-27.
The Aggies came out more inspired in the second half and built up a double-digit lead with Ivan Aurrecoechea coming up big down low. The Roos came back before the end and got it to within two scores, but the Aggies held on with some free throws. 67-61 Aggies was the final. Ivan finished with 23 points. Jabari Rice had 13.
With all that out of the way, today’s Women’s game would be a bit special. I finally talked dad into coming to a game with me and Ron. Well actually, his friend Joe was interested in going when I mentioned this game and that probably actually talked him into it. I was amazed that four people, who do not live together, were able to coordinate their schedules to go to a game. I was able to use the Pack the Pan-Am tickets for free admission to this game for Joe and dad. That was a promotion that worked out for me.
We all had a good time, but afterward, dad told me him and Joe wouldn’t have gone if they’d known that Ron was sick. In all honesty, Ron almost canceled the night before, but said he was good to go today though he was coughing a lot. We’ll see if it’s contagious or was just a personal problem.
At the game for player warmups, Gia Pack was indeed on crutches. If health was a stat, the Aggie Men and Women’s Basketball teams have been underperforming this season. I ran into Adam Young after the softball game, and he said it was a minor sprain and Gia should be back soon. As usual, the opposition looked good in practice. The Roos were also 7-2 in conference, compared to the Aggies’ 5-4 record, so they are a good team. They have a 6’5” player, Cristina Soriano. Another tall striking player was Tajah Foster-Walker, a black girl with long fiery red hair. Their coach, Jacie Hoyt, was an attractive young blonde woman. She made a bold fashion statement wearing a blue dress with neon yellow sneakers.
Even early, the crowd was shaping up well. There were a bunch of little girls dressed as cheerleaders for the halftime show, along with their parents. This was also an alumni reunion day for Aggie Women’s basketball. They brought a good contingent. The vocalist was back with the Roadrunner Revue band. I think she’s now a permanent feature. A pretty referee was working the game with her dark hair tied back in a tight bun. Lastly, a very attractive Sundancer was performing in front of us during the game. She was extremely eye-catching with her silver blonde hair. Ron said she’d been there all season. I don’t know how I missed her.
First Quarter
It all added up for me on the scorecard finally. I must have done it correctly by accident. I thought the Aggies might be able to make up for Gia’s absence in scoring, but I was wondering who was going to make up all of her rebounds. On the Roos’ first possession, the Aggies gave up three offensive rebounds. Thankfully, I didn’t see anything that egregious afterward.
With that many chances, the Roos would score the first few baskets. Aaliyah Prince made a steal on a later play, but a referee (not the pretty one) accidently interfered and caused the ball to be turned right back over. On the sideline, Coach Atkinson was wearing out one of the nearby referees (again, not the pretty one). I’ve seen her animated before, but today she was nearly hysterical, screaming and stomping her feet. I couldn’t even tell at times what she was mad about. Dad was amused by her antics. I have to almost think she was still mad at herself over Gia’s injury. At 8-0 Roos, after a couple of made threes, Coach Atkinson called a timeout.
During the break, a bunch of Aggie Women’s players from the 70’s were honored on court. I wondered if any of them had an eligibility left. The current team could use some help. The Aggies came back out swinging. Prince got a steal. She got it to Tayelin Grays, who in turn, passed it to Adenike Aderinto for a layup. That was some pretty teamwork. Prince got another steal and took in herself for a layup, after missing a layup and getting the rebound. These were the moments I was kind of dreading bringing dad and a friend who hadn’t seen a Women’s basketball game before. It was going to be embarrassing at times compared to the Men.
Prince and Nike came out briefly for a blow, but had to come right back in as the Roos started to get the momentum back. Aaliyah snatched a rebound and went coast-to-coast for another layup. She also had a tip, which led to a turnover and a layup by Amanda Soderqvist. This was unfortunately Amanda’s only game highlight. She took several three attempts, but never got one in. Dad was wondering why the coach was letting her shoot at all. I felt bad he wasn’t seeing all the times Amanda was making those shots. It was 17-11 Roos after ten minutes.
Second Quarter
A large group of 80’s players were recognized on court. I noticed the shortest woman in the group was a member of the 1,000-point club. She must have had a good outside shot. Prince committed the Aggies’ first foul of the game early on. The team had played a very clean first quarter. The Roos were usually full court pressing in the game, making it hard for the Aggies to bring the ball up. The Aggies returned the favor and got a trap, which forced a Roo timeout.
The 90’s players came out on court. This was the smallest group for some reason. Anita Maxwell, the Aggies’ all-time leading scorer, wasn’t there. I was disappointed. Back to play, there was some confusion by the refs (including the pretty one) after a miss by Amanda that hit the shot clock. AD Mario Moccia and the entire section of alumni basketball players were making a sign for a foul.
Soufia Inoussa pulled down a rebound and got a layup. Yes, dad and Joe did ask me to confirm that the darkest-skinned player on the team was indeed from Sweden. (After the season, they’ll finally admit it was all just a practical joke. They wanted to see how long they could get away with it.) Prince got another steal, but again missed the layup. Micayla Buckner cleaned it up with a little jumper. 19-19 with five minutes left.
Roo Jonaie Johnson made a great shot. She made a falling away jumper as the shot clock expired. She ended up flat on her back afterward. Adrianna Henderson answered with a three to give the Aggies their first lead, 22-21. Right after that, they started taking some bad shots and the Roos went back in front. With a minute left, the multitude of little cheerleaders started queuing up in aisles for their halftime performance. Prince took a last second heave before the half and hit one of the Sundancers (not the beautiful one). Ooops. 25-22 Roos.
Third Quarter
300 little girls (and reportedly one little boy) took to the court to perform. Joe was amazed by the spectacle. Parents everywhere in the stands were standing and recording. A lady in front of us was enthusiastically doing the moves along with her daughter.
Prince started off the second half with yet another steal, but then gave it right back. Ericka Mattingly for the Roos hit her second three of the game. Micayla came back with a solid shot in the lane, but made too many moves on her next trip and turned it over. Mattingly then hit another three forcing an Aggie timeout at 33-24 Roos with six minutes left. The crowd and the band had become ominously quiet, even though it looked like most of the crowd was still there. (Often, the families leave after their kids’ halftime performance.) The Girl Scouts were honored on court. They had been selling cookies up front. They handed out some free boxes at this point and nearly caused a riot.
Tay started a comeback. She got a steal and a jumper and then hit a three. Prince tied it at 33 with a couple of free throws with three minutes left. Freshman Shania Harper came in and got a layup on a dish from Tayelin. Harper also pulled down several rebounds. She stayed in for pretty much the rest of the game. 40-37 Roos after three quarters.
Fourth Quarter
Dino Dash! Dad and Joe had noticed the contestants waiting the wings and were intrigued, but nothing can compare to the actual race between two fans in inflatable dinosaur suits. They might have kept them waiting a little too long, as the suits were a bit deflated by the time of the race, but it was still great.
Into the fourth quarter, the Aggie defense stiffened and caused a shot clock violation, but then gave up an easy layup. It was 46-37 Roos with seven minutes left and the Aggies took a timeout. The Cheerleaders came out and threw shirts to the crowd. One of the girls tried to toss one to a little boy in the first row and completely missed. She was mortified. Ron had noticed one of the Cheerleaders in uniform pulling out of the dad’s apartment building when he was coming to get me. Maybe dad will meet her there sometime.
Prince got a layup off a turnover to make it 46-40 Roos with five minutes left. She got another fast break layup right after to force a Roo timeout. With 1:46 left, the Roos got the score back up to 50-42. Timeout Aggies. Soufia fouled to put the Roos in the bonus. Tay dropped in a jumper, got a steal, and got the ball back on a tieup. But then, the Aggies gave up an easy layup trying to steal an inbounds pass. From there, there were lots of fouls and timeouts that only prolonged the inevitable. The Roos won 55-50.
Honestly, it was a valiant effort by the Aggies, who were wearing their throwback Roadrunner jerseys for reunion day. They were playing a good team without their main scorer and rebounder. It seemed like a sure loss going in, but they made the Roos work for the win. Give an assist to the Aggies’ homecourt advantage and a large crowd. Aaliyah Prince led the Aggies with 17 points, 4 steals, and 6 rebounds. Tayelin Grays was next with 12. She picked a good time to step up her game. The team only had two made threes, so offense was an issue, but they did actually out-rebound the Roos. Jonaie Johnson led the Roos with 17, but Ericka Mattingly probably iced the game with 7 free throw points in the second half, along with a three threes for 16 points.
Ron and I were planning on going to see Aggie Softball versus Arkansas, which was scheduled about a half-hour later. However, I’d kind of promised dinner to dad, which Ron and I were going to want anyway. Dad wanted Raising Canes and I never say, “No,” to that. Joe hadn’t been there before as he doesn’t eat out. I hope I’m not ruining his diet. It was a good meal enjoyed by all. Dad and Joe enjoyed the game as well, so it was a successful trip. Ron and I dropped them off to join the softball game in progress.
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