Takia Starks had 21 points and Danielle Gant scored 12 of her 18 in the last five minutes to lead No. 8 Texas A&M to a 67-56 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night.
The win is A&M's sixth straight over the Lady Raiders (10-5, 1-1 Big 12) and is the Aggies' 13th consecutive home win.
The Aggies (14-1, 2-0) led 53-51 before Gant scored eight straight points to secure the win. Gant made two quick baskets before hitting eight free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.
Gant also led the Aggies with 10 rebounds and had five steals. Sydney Colson added 11 points and Adaora Elonu had 10.
The loss breaks a five-game winning streak for the Lady Raiders who were coming off a 65-62 weekend upset of then-No. 8 Texas.
Texas Tech was led by Dominic Seals who had 18 points. Kierra Mallard added 11 points and 10 rebounds and Maria Moore scored 11 points.
Both teams shot poorly for large chunks of the second half, with neither team scoring for a more than four minute stretch at one point.
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A jumper by Seals got Texas Tech within 47-46 with about 11 minutes left. The Lady Raiders held the Aggies without a basket and had opportunity after opportunity to take the lead after that, but missed four layups in the next four minutes to remain down by 1.
Starks and Elonu added two free throws each and a jumper by Gant helped A&M outscored Tech 6-2 after that to take a five-point lead with about five minutes left.
Seals outscored the Aggies 6-2 in the opening minutes of the second half to get Texas Tech within 3. Tilmila Martin's 3-pointer tied it before she gave the Lady Raiders a 39-37 lead on fast break seconds later.
The Aggies responded with six straight points to regain the lead, 43-39.
Seals left the game in tears with about 6½ minutes left, but returned about three minutes later after her left ankle was re-taped.
