LIONS CLOSE OUT NON-CONFERENCE PLAY HOSTING NEWMAN THURSDAY
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newman (10-2) | 39 | 34 | 73 |
| A&M-Commerce (1-9) | 18 | 41 | 59 |
| Commerce, TX (The Field House) | |||
| Newman | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|
| Pts: Satoria Bell - 34 | Pts: Danielle Dixon - 23 |
| Reb: Alina Voronenko - 9 | Reb: Breanna Harris - 14 |
| Ast: Alina Voronenko - 5 | Ast: Kourtney Briscoe - 4 |
| Team Statistics | Newman | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 48.1% (26-54 ) | 35.7% (20-56 ) |
| Rebounds | 36 | 49 |
| Assists | 16 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 22 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 25 | 7 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 7 | 17 |
| Pts in the Paint | 36 | 22 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 10 | 7 |
| Bench Pts | 18 | 12 |
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Newman Jets
Thursday, December 29 * 5:30 p.m.
The Field House * Commerce, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-8); Newman (9-2)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (listen online at KETR.org)
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
Opening Tip
A&M-Commerce returns from its 12-day Christmas break, returning to the Field House for a non-conference game against Newman Thursday, December 29 at 5:30. The game against the Jets marks the Lions' final non-conference game of the 2011-12 season.
Lions on the Web
Fans unable to make it to Commerce for Thursday's game against Newman can still catch all the action. J.P. Heath will broadcast the game live on KETR 88.9 FM or online at KETR.org. Live stats will also be available at LionAthletics.com.
Scouting the Jets
2011-12: 9-2 overall, 0-0 Heartland, 1-2 road. Receiving votes in this week's USA Today/ESPN NCAA Division II Top-25 poll.
Last Three Games: W vs. East Central (79-63), W vs. William Jewell (61-49), W vs. McPherson (96-37).
Head Coach: Jaime Green (Missouri Southern, '03). Second season at Newman (28-10, .737); fifth season overall (109-31, .779).
Key Jet Players:
* Satoria Bell (Sr., G): 264 pts. (24.0 avg.), 48.8 FG pct., 62 reb. (5.6 avg.), 19 ast., 6 blk., 29 stl.; leads the country in points scored (264) and ranks third in points per game (24.0).
* Tasha Cannon (Sr., F): 157 pts. (14.3 avg.), 51.3 FG pct., 80.4 FT pct., 115 reb. (10.5 avg.), 27 ast., 19 stl.
* Kianna Flannagan (Jr., G): 72 pts. (6.5 avg.), 43.6 FG pct., 43.8 3FG pct., 81.0 FT pct., 25 reb. (2.3 avg.), 30 ast.
* Samantha Soyez (So., F): 41 pts. (4.1 avg.), 35.1 FG pct., 30.0 3FG pct., 20 reb. (2.0 avg.), 27 ast.
* Alina Voronenko (Sr., G/F): 49 pts. (4.5 avg.), 37.0 FG pct., 48 reb. (4.4 avg.), 2 blk., 13 stl.
Series Information: Thursday's game marks the first ever meeting between A&M-Commerce and Newman. The Lions have faced one other Heartland Conference school this season, falling to A&M International 78-67 on Dec. 17. The Lions and Jets have one common opponent at this point of the season. A&M-Commerce fell to Lone Star Conference rival Midwestern State 81-44 on Nov. 30 while Newman defeated the Mustangs 74-65 on November 15.
Last Time Out: Lions Fall To Dustdevils 78-67 at Mountain View College
A&M-Commerce looked good early against Texas A&M International Saturday afternoon, but a Dustdevil surge in the second half proved to be too much for the Lions to handle as A&M-Commerce falls to A&M International 78-67 at Mountain View College in Dallas. The Lions drop their fifth straight, falling to 1-8 on the season. Breanna Harris had another solid outing for A&M-Commerce, posting a career-best 15 points with eight rebounds, including hitting 11 of her 15 free throw attempts on the day. Danielle Dixon finished with 14 points and six rebounds for the Lions while Michelle Sutton had a big day, knocking down a career-best 11 points, including hitting three of her four three-point attempts. Abigail Leaupepe-Tele had a strong outing off the bench for A&M-Commerce, finishing with seven points and five rebounds in eight minutes of work, tying her season-high in both categories. Freshmen La'Tisha Hearne and Devin Oliver each added six points on the day for the Lions. The Lions started off strong against the Dustdevils, building an early 17-9 advantage, but A&M International slowly chipped away at the lead, eventually taking a 34-32 lead at halftime. The Dustdevils continued pulling away in the second, leading by as many as 15 before taking the 78-67 victory.
Harris Continues To Post Big Season for A&M-Commerce
Sophomore Breanna Harris has been a key contributor early in the season for A&M-Commerce, ranking second on the team in points per game (10.1) while leading the Lions in rebounds per game (8.8). Against A&M International, Harris scored 15 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Harris has posted three double-doubles on the year, including 14 points and a career-best 17 rebounds at Texas Woman's on Dec. 13. Harris opened up her A&M-Commerce career with 17 points at Southeastern Oklahoma, a career-best.
Dixon Paces Lion Offensive Attack
Sophomore Danielle Dixon has been the focal point of the A&M-Commerce offense in 2011, averaging 14.3 points per game to lead the Lions. She has recorded double figures in eight of the Lions' first nine games, including a season-high 17 points at Texas Woman's on December 13. She also pulled down 10 rebounds against the Pioneers for her first double-double of the season. Dixon ranks eighth in the conference in points per game and is third in free throw percentage (86.4).
Lions Among the Lone Star Conference Leaders
Through the first month of the season, a pair of Lions sit among the Lone Star Conference statistical leaders. Danielle Dixon ranks eighth in points per game (14.3), third in free throw percentage (86.4) and tied for 14 th in three pointers made (0.9 per game); Breanna Harris ranks second in rebounds per game (8.8) while leading the LSC in offensive rebounds per game (4.5) and ranks third in field goal percentage (53.8).
Looking Ahead
A&M-Commerce heads into the bulk of its Lone Star Conference schedule once the new year arrives, traveling to West Texas A&M to face the Lady Buffs on Wednesday, January 4. The Lions then return to the Field House on Saturday, January 7, facing Eastern New Mexico at 6 p.m.