BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Honesty Scott-Grayson scored a game-high 15 points, but Texas A&M's size and depth proved to be too much for the Tigers in a 66-44 loss to the Aggies Sunday afternoon at Reed Arena.
The Tigers were unable to overcome several cold stretches as the Aggies controlled the paint and the glass to pull ahead early.
"I thought we got open shots, but we passed them up," Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris said. "They hedge hard on the on-ball screens, and we were coming off and getting to the paint, but then we would pass it out. We just did not execute our game plan.
"I think it was a confidence thing. (Texas A&M is) big, they gave us a different look. They're big, aggressive and athletic. They cover up so well. They have a lot of experience in there, and that really affected us. Their point guard did a really good job managing the game."
Scott-Grayson was Auburn's only player in double figures. JaMya Mingo-Young scored nine points and had eight rebounds, and she extended her consecutive free throw streak to 29 before finally missing one in the third quarter. Mingo-Young also led Auburn with three assists.
Taylen Collins added eight points, six rebounds, a pair of steals and a block, and Mar'Shaun Bostic also scored eight points.
A&M doubled up Auburn in the paint 40-20 and out-rebounded the Tigers 43-29. Auburn shot 31 percent (15-49) to the Aggies' 44 percent (25-57). And for just the second time all season, Auburn did not win the turnover battle, turning it over 17 times to A&M's 16. Janiah Barker had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Aggies.
Auburn stays on the road for its next game, traveling to Oxford, Miss., to take on the Ole Miss Rebels on Thursday, Jan. 11. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at the SJB Pavilion.
Tigers fall at Texas A&M in SEC road opener
