The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
11-4, 1-2Big 12
Texas A&M
10-4, 1-2Big 12
Fussell leads Women's Basketball past No. 12 Texas A&M, 76-71
01.11.2012 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2012
Box Score 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Longhorns coach Gail Goestenkors knew that losing 11 straight games to rival Texas A&M had weighed heavily on her team.
"It was actually a gorilla," she said laughing after Texas beat the Aggies 76-71 on Wednesday night.
Chassidy Fussell scored 22 points to help the Longhorns end their skid. The Longhorns (11-4, 1-2 Big 12) were up 72-71 with 2:03 left when Cokie Reed missed a short jumper. She got the rebound and converted a layup to make it a three-point game.
"That was huge," Goestenkors said. "We talk about offensive rebounds in close games determining the outcome. The determination she had to put that shot in was big."
After Adrienne Pratcher missed a jumper on the other end, Texas secured the victory - its first in the Big 12 this season.
"This was one of our goals, to finally beat A&M," said Texas senior Ashley Gayle, who scored a career-high 17 points on her 22nd birthday. "Everyone was in attack mode."
Texas A&M (10-4, 1-2), the defending national champions, lost at home to an unranked opponent for the first time since a setback to Nebraska in February 2005.
"(The Longhorns) were hungry and they used those last 11 games as motivation," said Texas A&M guard Sydney Carter, who scored a game-high 25 points. "They played to win. This is a learning process for us. We'll get on the practice court and do what we can to fix those problems."
Texas A&M coach Gary Blair shook his head at his team being outhustled.
"We're getting everybody's best, and we knew that going in," Blair said. "We're a proud national champion, but that was last year. These rings don't mean much when I've got (opposing coaches) saying, `Hey, that's last year. Bring it on, what do you have?' We have to practice better, not longer."
UT outscored A&M 40-24 in the paint, and 20-9 on the fast break.
"I'm proud of our team for the way it stood together," Goestenkors said. "We just found a way. We've got great seniors, and they were determined we weren't going to leave here without a win."
The Aggies are set to join the Southeastern Conference next season, and Texas has said it's not interested in playing A&M in any sport for the foreseeable future as nonconference opponents. The teams are scheduled to meet for a last time in Austin on March 4.
"The fact that they're defending national champions and with this being the last matchup at A&M - it made everyone more focused," Gayle said.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
-With the win, Texas is 7-16 all-time against reigning NCAA Champions. The Longhorns last toppled the previous season champion on Dec. 14, 2008, when they handed Tennessee a 73-59 loss in Austin.
-Texas improved to 59-23 all-time against Texas A&M and 24-11 when the teams meet in College Station.
-The win marks the Longhorns' first against the Aggies since Jan. 21, 2007, when they won 64-45 in Austin.
-The win marks Texas' first at Reed Arena since March 2, 2005, when it defeated Texas A&M 69-57.
-Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors is now 105-100 all-time vs. AP Top 25 teams.
-State Farm Lone Star Showdown update: Texas leads, 5.5-1.0 after tonight's xx-xx Women's Basketball victory at Texas A&M.
-Texas improved to 9-0on the season when leading at the half (40-36).
INDIVIDUALS
Yvonne Anderson
-Recorded a game and career-high 13 assists
-Is averaging 9.0 apg over the last two games
Ashleigh Fontenette
-Recorded double-figure scoring for the 10th time this season and 56th in her career with 14 points
Chassidy Fussell
-Recorded 20 or more points for the fourth time this season and 17th in her career and finished with 22 points
-Led Texas in scoring for the eighth time this season
Ashley Gayle
-Recorded a career-high 17 points
-Recorded double-figure scoring for the second time this season and 17th in her career
