PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – The Texas A&M women’s basketball team is gearing up to kick off their campaign in the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, with an enticing first-round match set against Villanova on Saturday at 8 p.m. This highly anticipated showdown will take place at the Imperial Arena, located within the beautiful Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
The Aggies, currently holding a 3-2 record, are riding high following a dominant 75-54 victory over Northwestern State on November 17. In that game, redshirt junior Jada Malone showcased her exceptional skills, delivering a remarkable performance that included a career-high 24 points, shooting an impressive 10-for-13 from the field. Additionally, she contributed significantly on the boards with nine rebounds, while also demonstrating her defensive prowess with four steals and three blocks. Notably, this marks the second occasion this season that Malone has stepped up to lead the team in scoring from her role off the bench.
Texas A&M’s defensive strength lies in its formidable rim protection, currently ranking seventh nationally in blocks per game with an impressive average of 6.8 swats. Key contributors Lauren Ware and Aicha Coulibaly are pivotal to this effort, each averaging 1.8 blocks per game. Remarkably, the Aggies have succeeded in limiting their opponents to under 35% shooting from the field in all three of their victories this season, showcasing their tenacious defensive capabilities.
The Tournament
This year’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament features a competitive field that includes teams like Ball State, Baylor, Columbia, Indiana, North Carolina, Southern Miss, and Villanova. Texas A&M’s first challenge is against Villanova, with potential matchups on Sunday against either the No. 16-ranked North Carolina or Ball State, depending on the outcomes of the initial contests. The pairing for the third and final game of the tournament on Monday will be determined after the results from Sunday’s play.
How to Keep Up
Fans eager to catch all the action can rest assured that the first two games of the tournament will be streamed live on FloCollege. To watch the Aggies’ opening game against Villanova, click here. The streaming for the third game will likely be available on either FloCollege or through traditional broadcasting on ESPN2 or ESPNU, contingent upon the outcomes of the earlier matches. For those hoping to listen in, the Villanova game will be broadcast on 97.3 FM, while the subsequent game on Sunday will air on 1620 AM/94.5 FM. Fans can also follow live statistics through the provided link.
Follow the Aggies
For more information about the Texas A&M women’s basketball program, fans are encouraged to visit the official site. Stay connected and keep up with team updates by following Texas A&M women’s basketball on Facebook, on Instagram/Threads, and on X by following @AggieWBB.
**How does Coach Taylor view the impact of Jada Malone’s recent performance on the overall team dynamics and success?**
**Interview with Texas A&M Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Joni Taylor**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Coach Taylor. Your team is about to kick off the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with a match against Villanova. How are you feeling as you prepare for this highly anticipated showdown?
*Coach Taylor:* We’re very excited! The Battle 4 Atlantis is a fantastic opportunity for our team to face high-level competition. We know Villanova has a strong program, and we’re preparing our players to bring their best performance.
*Interviewer:* You’re coming off a strong win against Northwestern State, where Jada Malone really shone, scoring a career-high 24 points. How important is her contribution to the team’s success?
*Coach Taylor:* Jada’s performance was outstanding, not just in scoring but also defensively and on the boards. When she steps up like that, it elevates the entire team’s game. It’s crucial for us to have different players make significant contributions, especially with her coming off the bench; it adds depth to our lineup.
*Interviewer:* Speaking of defense, your team ranks seventh nationally in blocks per game. What’s been the key to developing such a formidable rim protection strategy?
*Coach Taylor:* Our emphasis on defense starts in practice. We’ve focused on positioning and minimizing fouls while still being aggressive. It’s a team effort, but players like Lauren Ware and Aicha Coulibaly have really stepped up, averaging significant blocks per game. I believe our commitment to limiting opponents to low shooting percentages speaks volumes about our hard work.
*Interviewer:* What are you specifically looking to improve upon as you face a tough field in this tournament?
*Coach Taylor:* Our goal is to stay consistent and build on our defensive identity. We need to maintain our energy and intensity, especially against teams like Villanova that can capitalize on any mistakes. We’re also working on our offensive execution to ensure we can effectively score against their defense.
*Interviewer:* Lastly, what does participating in the Battle 4 Atlantis mean for the growth and exposure of your program?
*Coach Taylor:* It’s a great platform for our players to showcase their talents against national competition. Competing in such a prestigious tournament provides invaluable experience, which is crucial for our development as a team. We’re looking to make a statement and show that Texas A&M is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the court.
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Coach Taylor. Best of luck against Villanova and in the tournament!
*Coach Taylor:* Thank you! We appreciate the support and can’t wait to see what our team can do!
