February 11, 2012

A&M-COMMERCE FALLS FLAT AGAINST TEXAS WOMAN'S, 63-49

Texas Woman's 63, A&M-Commerce 49
Location:
The Field House * Commerce, Texas
Records:
A&M-Commerce (1-21, 0-16 LSC); Texas Woman's (12-10, 7-9 LSC)
Up Next:
vs. West Texas A&M * Wednesday, February 15 * 6 p.m. * The Field House

COMMERCE, Texas – The Lions have now extended their streak to 42 consecutive Lone Star Conference losses with the defeat from Texas Woman's, 63-49. The Lions were plagued again by a slow first half being outscored 30-22. Unfortunately, the Lion surge fizzled away midway through the second half when the Lions lost momentum. The Lions will face their toughest adversary with the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M, who handed the Lions a tough, 110-37 loss earlier this season in Canyon, Texas.

Jessica Hanna got the Pioneers off to a quick lead over the Lions scoring 6 of the first 11 points giving the Pioneers an 11-4 edge. This would only be the beginning as the Lions fell into a tough 20-6 hole at the 9:46 mark.
 
Senior forward Apreia Booker would knock down a couple of jumpers to get the Lions started with a comeback, cutting the Pioneers lead down to 26-14.

The Lions would spring for a comeback in the closing minutes of the first half with 6 points in a matter of 30 seconds off a La'Tisha Hearne jump shot, followed by a Hearne steal and Devin Oliver layup, followed by another Oliver steal and an Oliver layup.

This surge would not only get momentum going for the Lions in the second half, but they would close out their first half down only 30-22

The Pioneers came out in the second half flustered, immediately giving up 4 points to Michelle Sutton making the game 30-26 at the 19:15 mark.

Raquel Cuffie would slow down the momentum of the Lions off a layup, giving the Pioneers some breathing room, but Sarah Duran would answer back for the Lions with a jumper deep in the paint.

After an uneventful 4 minutes, La'Tisha Hearne would continue the Lion run knocking down back-to-back jumpers and a free throw getting the Lions within 3 points of the Pioneers.

Brittney Nuzum would knock down 3 free throws and follow it up with a deep 3 pointer giving the Pioneers a 42-35 lead at the 13:08 mark. This would be the beginning of the Lions slide as they just seem to run out of gas.

Torre Mason and Nuzum would knock down back-to-back three pointers giving the Pioneers a comfy 10 point lead. 

The Lions would struggle to get their offense flowing again as the Pioneers rod e out their lead. Harris would knock down back to back jumpers getting the Lions somewhat closer as she made it 50-44 at the 6:04 mark.

The Pioneers would hit an 11 point unanswered run knocking 2 minutes off the clock and extending their lead to 61-44. Time would expire as the Lions dropped another conference game.

The Lions would be led by freshman guards Devin Oliver and Michelle Sutton, who led the Lions as the leading scorers with 8 points apiece. The Bench would come up big for the Lions tonight outscoring the Pioneer bench 23-16.

However, the Pioneer starters would outscore the Lion starters 47-26. The Pioneers had three different players in the double digits for points. Brittney Nuzum would lead the way with 4 assists and 18 points.

The Lions will have a tough mountain to climb breaking their losing streak against West Texas A&M. The Lady Buffs routed the Lions earlier this season 110-37. The Lions will be hosting the Lady Buffs at the Field House on Wednesday, February 15th at 6:00 PM. A&M-Commerce will then take to the road making the long road trip to Eastern New Mexico. They will meet in Portales, New Mexico on Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 PM.