Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (11/04/2026) — Emerald Parker scored a game-high 20 points and Kailyn Gilbert authored a near triple-double as the Texas A&M Aggies defeated the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns 62-51 at Reed Arena on Wednesday, opening the 2026 women's basketball season with an 11-point victory in front of 2,118 fans.
The Aggies absorbed a brief third-quarter lead by Louisiana before Chaney Spencer's back-to-back three-pointers broke the game open, with Texas A&M's rebounding edge — 52-47 on the boards — proving a decisive factor throughout.
How It Happened
Louisiana drew first blood when Bailey Timmons connected on a 17-foot pullup jumper in the opening minute, but Texas A&M quickly established control. The Aggies reeled off an 11-0 run to turn a 4-4 tie into a 13-7 advantage, with Malaya Jones capping the stretch with a 23-foot three-pointer at the 3:02 mark of the first quarter.
Jazmyne Jackson fired back with a step-back three from 25 feet to close the first-quarter gap to 13-10, keeping the Ragin' Cajuns within striking distance. Texas A&M steadily extended its lead through the second quarter — Kailyn Gilbert's free throw at 0:47 pushed the Aggies' margin to 31-22 — but Louisiana refused to fold heading into the break.
The Ragin' Cajuns opened the third quarter with purpose. Jackson's 26-foot three-pointer pulled Louisiana within six at 31-25, and after Aminata Sowe converted a free throw to make it 31-26, Jones hit a three-pointer from 25 feet — assisted by Imani Daniel — to actually put Louisiana ahead 34-33, the Ragin' Cajuns' only lead of the second half.
Turning Point
Texas A&M responded without hesitation. Spencer answered Jones' go-ahead three with one of her own from 25 feet, returning the lead to the Aggies at 36-34. When Jackson drew a foul and converted to pull within two at 38-36, Louisiana appeared poised for a sustained run. Instead, Spencer buried another three-pointer from 23 feet at the 1:46 mark — a dagger that pushed the A&M lead to 47-38 and effectively ended the Ragin' Cajuns' comeback bid. Gilbert added a free throw in the final seconds to send Texas A&M into the fourth quarter ahead 49-38.
The final period belonged to the Aggies. Parker converted a layup off a Gilbert assist to push the cushion to 51-38, and Gilbert's three-pointer from 24 feet at the 4:13 mark extended the lead to 56-42. Gilbert added a mid-range jumper with just over a minute remaining to make it 60-49, before Imani Daniel's tip-in layup at 0:12 set the final margin at 62-51.
Star of the Game
Kailyn Gilbert delivered the most complete performance of the night, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists — one assist shy of a triple-double. Gilbert threaded the offense throughout all four quarters, controlling tempo and converting in critical moments when Louisiana applied pressure. Emerald Parker led all scorers with 20 points and added 7 rebounds, while Miyah Verse contributed 9 points and 10 boards to give Texas A&M a dominant presence on the glass.
For Louisiana, Aminata Sowe was relentless in the paint, recording 15 rebounds alongside 13 points in a double-double effort. Jones and Jackson each finished with 8 points, with Jones distributing 5 assists and Jackson draining three three-pointers despite the Ragin' Cajuns' overall struggles from the perimeter.
What It Means
Texas A&M showed the interior depth and perimeter versatility to be a factor in conference play. Gilbert's ability to facilitate offense while contributing on the boards gives the Aggies a multifaceted weapon, and Parker's 20-point opening night establishes her as a consistent scoring presence. The Aggies' 37% field-goal shooting left room to improve, but their rebounding margin and ability to limit Louisiana to just 19% from three-point range demonstrated an effective defensive identity.
For Louisiana, Sowe's double-double offers a foundation to build upon, but a 26% field-goal percentage and 15 turnovers created too large a mountain to climb on the road. The Ragin' Cajuns showed competitive fight — particularly in that third-quarter stretch when they briefly held the lead — and that resilience will serve them as the season develops.
