By james art 
Despite an encouraging early showing, Texas A&M’s efforts were hampered by an injury in the second quarter of Aicha Coulibaly as the Aggies fell to No. 5 LSU on Sunday, 64-51.
With only nine players available at the start of the contest, the Aggies looked to star guard Coulibaly to provide her usual but needed production. Aggressive from the rebound, Koulibaly was rewarded with five trips to the free throw line, with seven of her 12 points coming from the charity stripe.
Playing toe-to-toe against one of the top offenses in the nation, A&M’s Prime Prime Threat led the initial charge as the Aggies led most of the first quarter. After allowing the Tigers to mount a 15-2 second-quarter run, another injury proved costly.
Will Huffman, Texas
Sahara Jones played all 40 minutes for the first time in her career.
With 1:51 left in the half, Coulibaly landed awkwardly on his right knee, unable to put any pressure on him as he was helped to the locker room. She didn’t come back.
It was a devastating blow to the Aggies, but they kept fighting nonetheless.
In the second half, freshman Talia Parker stepped up to deliver much-needed offense with 10 points in the final frames. Sahara Jones and Saul Williams hit triples to cut into the deficit as LSU’s talented tandem of Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow got hot.
Johnson poured in 22 points while Morrow had 19.
A&M’s veteran duo of Coulibaly and Lauren Ware saw a combined eight minutes in the second half as foul trouble kept them at bay. That forced Jones to play a full 40 minutes for the first time in his career.
Down to just seven players available after Ware caught fire, A&M lacked the bodies to keep pace with the Tigers.
Posting a ridiculous 30 offensive rebounds, LSU took advantage of its miss to take 72 total shots, 21 more than the Aggies. Additionally, a costly 21 turnovers doomed A&M’s drive through the first 18 minutes.
Less than 48 hours removed from its heavyweight scrimmage against No. 2 South Carolina, LSU entered the contest on short rest. The defensive style of play favors the Aggies, but a lack of depth prevents execution.
Despite the loss, Texas A&M made strides Sunday night. In their last three games, the Maroon & White continue to find ways to hit each other when free throws are thrown. Now they may have to figure out how to do it without Koulibaly.
Next, the Aggies will continue their stretch on the road, traveling to Arkansas on Thursday for a 6:30 p.m. CT Council.