No. 16 Texas A&M Overpowers Mississippi State 81-33 - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

STARKVILLE, MISS—No. 16 Texas A&M (15-5, 5-1) was led by Senior Kristi Bellock with 18 points en route to a commanding 81-33 victory over Mississippi State (8-11, 0-6) at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss. The Aggies held the Bulldogs to a season low 33 points in the game.

Bellock had a career night making nine of 10 shots from the floor for a career high 18 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Bellock started the game a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor. Joining Bellock in double figures were senior Adrienne Pratcher with 15 points and junior Kelsey Bone with 13 points on the night.

The Aggies raced out to a nine point lead in the first six minutes of the game behind an efficient offense shooting 8-for-12 from the floor, tallying an assist on seven of the first eight field goals made. Bellock made her first five shots of the game to pace the Aggie offense early on, scoring 10 points to lead all-scorers.

Mississippi State struggled from the floor to open the game, but the Bulldogs were effective on the offensive glass collecting six offensive rebounds in the first ten minutes of the game leading to eight second chance points. The Aggies forced three early turnovers leading to seven A&M points.

The Aggies took a then game-high 13 point lead into the under eight minute media timeout, leading 25-12 with 7:57 left in the opening period. Texas A&M outscored Mississippi State in the paint 10-6 in the early going.

The Aggies took a game-high 20 point lead into the locker room at the half behind a season best 65.4% shooting from the floor. The visitors were 17-for-26 from the floor at the break with 12 assists versus only two assists from the Bulldogs. The Aggies scored 13 points off 11 Mississippi State turnovers, but were outscored 8-2 in second chance points.

Bellock continued her hot shooting throughout the first half making all six of her attempts for a game-high 12 points. Pratcher had seven points after the opening frame with Bone adding six points of her own. Freshman Courtney Walker put together an efficient opening 20 minutes with four points, five rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes of play.

The Aggies used a 21-0 run over 6:39 of game play across halftime to increase the lead to a then game-high 35 points. Six points in the run came from back-to-back three point field goals from Pratcher, the second of which set a new single-game career high for Pratcher in made three pointers of three.

The Aggies prevented the Bulldogs from making a field goal in the second half until 11:37 remained in the game starting out 0-for-8 from the floor to begin the second half. The Bulldogs finished the half shooting 4-18 from the floor for 22.2 percent in the second half.

Freshman Courtney Walker played well in 23 minutes on the floor forcing several turnovers in addition to nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Freshman Chelsea Jennings had impressive night off the bench with six rebounds to tie for the team high. Freshman Rachel Mitchell contributed four points, three rebounds and a block in only eight minutes of play.  

For the game Texas A&M scored 32 points off of 23 Bulldog turnovers and prevented Mississippi State from scoring any points off turnovers. The Aggies dished out 19 assists and ripped 17 steals.

Mississippi State was led by Martha Alwal with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Aggies return to Reed Arena on Sunday, Jan. 27 when they play host to Missouri at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU.