November 28, 2012
HARRIS’, CARVER’S DOUBLE-DOUBLES PACE LIONS OVER PIONEERS, 63-52
SCORE: A&M-Commerce 63, Texas Woman's 52
Location: The Field House – Commerce, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (3-0, 1-0 LSC); Texas Woman's (2-4, 0-1 LSC)
Up Next: Sam Houston State – Huntsville, Texas – Friday, November 30 – 11:00 a.m.
Commerce, Texas – Strong defensive effort powers the Lions past TWU, 63-52, in Lone star Conference opener to start the season 3-0 since the 2008-09 season. Breanna Harris and Amber Carver both record double-doubles in the win.
The Lions defense forced 15 turnovers leading to 13 points and providing the Lion offense the spark it needed to get going against the Pioneers. Texas Woman's shot 4-22 in the half for a percentage of 18.2.
The Lions offense struggled in the first 10 minutes, only scoring nine points. But the transition baskets off turnovers helped spark the offense into 21 the rest of the way. The Lions closed the first half on a 14-4 run.
Aubree Butts and Amber Carver led the way in the first half for the Lions with seven and six points respectively. Kourtney Briscoe provided five points and Devin Oliver added four to go along with three steals. Ashlee Johnson dished out four assists in her six minutes of action with two of those coming in the last minute to push the Lions led to 11 both times. The first was a diagonal half court pass to a streaking Butts for a layup and the second was a pass back to the top of the key to find Carver for an open jumper from the line.
Breanna Harris made a presence with her six rebounds; Briscoe, Harris, Dixon and La'Tisha Hearne all recorded at least one steal.
Breanna Harris made her presence known in the second half after quiet first half. Harris had a double-double in the second half alone with 10 rebounds and 13 points. On top of her first half numbers she finished with 13 points and 16 boards. The boards are one short of her career high on 17.
Freshmen Carver and Butts each had double figures with 11 and 15 respectively. Carver also recorded her first double-double in her career at A&M-Commerce.
Kourtney Brisoce capped off her night with seven points, three rebounds and three assists. Ashlee Johnson made the most of her 17 minutes with a three points, 4 rebounds and five assists performance. Those totals mark season highs in all categories.
The Lions defense held the Pioneers under their 55 points per game average. TWU struggled to get consistent looks throughout the game and only shot 26 percent from the field and 16 percent from behind the arc. The Lions also held the top two scoring options for the Pioneers in Tabbatha Thurmond and Toree Mason, below their averages for the season.
Nest up for the Lions is Sam Houston State on Friday, November 30 in Huntsville, Texas. The game will mark the first since the 1982-83 season that the two sides have faced each other. The game is also the first time the Lions have faced a Division I opponent since Prairie View A&M and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2006-07.
