<
        >

          No. 16 Texas A&M clamps down on Miss. St.

          Jan 24, 2013
          • Associated Press

          STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Kristi Bellock scored 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead No. 16 Texas A&M to an 81-33 victory over Mississippi State Thursday night.

          Texas A&M (15-5, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) shot 60 percent (29 of 48), well above its season 46.6-percent average. The Aggies were 4 of 10 from behind the arc and 19 of 25 from the free-throw line. They also forced 23 turnovers, including 17 steals.

          Mississippi State (8-11, 0-6) couldn't muster much offense for coach Vic Schaefer, a former Texas A&M assistant, in his first game against his old squad. Schaefer, a Texas A&M alum, coached in College Station for nine seasons and recruited most of this year's squad before leaving for Mississippi State last spring.

          The Bulldogs were 12-of-45 shooting and bested the worst offensive performances in program history by a single point -- Mississippi State scored 32 points against Manhattan in 1985 and Auburn in 1986. The 48-point margin of defeat is the worst for the Bulldogs in a home game since a 50-point loss in that 1986 matchup with Auburn.

          Texas A&M opened the game on an 11-4 run and led 39-19 at halftime. The Aggies immediately extended that lead to 54-19 to open the second half.

          Adrienne Pratcher added 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and was 3 for 5 from beyond the arc for Texas A&M.

          Kelsey Bone chipped in 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting for the Aggies.

          Martha Alwal led Mississippi State with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Jerica James added 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.

          This is Texas A&M's second road win of the week after beating No. 12 Georgia 64-46 on Sunday. The Aggies have won seven of their last eight games overall.