Briana Butler's career-high 29 points carry Syracuse past Texas A&M

Dec 1, 2013, 02:26 am

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Briana Butler scored a career-high 29 points as Syracuse beat No. 12 Texas A&M 78-63 to win the Paradise Jam Reef Division title.

Syracuse (8-0) closed the first half on a 16-5 run, going into the break with a 38-27 advantage. Butler drilled two 3-pointers during the stretch.

Texas A&M (4-2) got the lead as close as 55-46 after a pair of Courtney Walker free throws. Butler answered for the Orange. She hit a 3-pointer, blocked a layup on the defensive end and hit another trey on the ensuing possession.

The Aggies wouldn't get the lead into single digits again. A&M struggled from 3-point range, going 1 for 11.

Butler finished 9 of 14 from the field, including 7 of 12 from long range. Brittney Sykes added 15 and Shakeya Leary 14.

Walker paced the Aggies with a career-high 26, and Achiri Ade added 14.