November 14, 2012
30 FOR 30: HARRIS POURS IN 30 AS LIONS CRUISE 76-57 IN SEASON OPENER
A&M-Commerce 76, Southern Arkansas 57
RECORDS: A&M-Commerce 1-0, Southern Arkansas 0-1
LOCATION: Commerce, Texas
UP NEXT: Saturday – November 24th – vs. Southeastern Oklahoma St. – 2:00 p.m.
Commerce, Texas – The Lions jumped on the Muleriders early led by Junior Forward Breanna Harris who outscored the Muleriders in the first half with her 22 to their 20. Harris started early and kept going throughout the half; scoring 13 of the first 15 points the Lions put on the board.
With 14:26 left in the half Harris connected on a lay-up to put the Lions up 12-10 and they never trailed in the remaining 14 minutes of the first half. A lay-up by Lauren Jay of Southern Arkansas with 10:45 left in the half would be the last time the Muleriders connected on a field goal.
Amber Carver got on the board for her A&M-Commerce career with a jumper in the lane to push the lead to seven, 24-17. The lead was pushed to 11 when Kourtney Briscoe connected on a pair of free throws to make it 28-17 Lions. Harris pushed the lead to 15 with with a jumper with 3:24 to play in the half. Sarah Duran put an exclamation point on the half with a jumper in the lane as time expired to give the Lions a 40-20 advantage at intermission.
The Lions pressure defense forced 17 Mulerider turnovers in the first half leading to 22 points for the Lions. A&M-Commerce also out rebounded Southern Arkansas 25-13 in the opening 20 minutes; 16 of those rebounds were on the offensive end leading to 20 points in the paint and 13 second chance buckets for the Lions.
The Lions we able to keep their distance in between them and the Mulriders throughout the second half with Southern Arkansas getting as close as 15 with 3:28 at 67-52. The Lions pushed the lead to its largest at 25 points with 15:05 left in the second half by the score of 48-23.
Breanna Harris capped off her impressive evening with a 30 point, her jersey number, 15 rebound outing. Of those 15 rebounds 10 were on the offensive glass to help the Lions grab 29 as a team. Carver finished her debut at A&M-Commerce with a nine point eight rebound game. Audree Butts had another impressive debut, recording four points, four points, five steals, two assists and two blocks. Kourtney Briscoe also had double figures in points with 13. On the evening nine Lions recorded at least one basket and those nine also recorded at least one rebound.
The Lions return to the court next Saturday, November 24th for a home against the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma State. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Field House.
