A&M-COMMERCE ENTERS 2012 WITH A PAIR OF CONFERENCE MATCH-UPS
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&M-Commerce (1-10, 0-5 LSC) | 20 | 17 | 37 |
| West Texas A&M (8-4, 6-0 LSC) | 62 | 48 | 110 |
| Canyon, TX (First United Bank Center) | |||
| A&M-Commerce | West Texas A&M |
|---|---|
| Pts: Danielle Dixon - 10 | Pts: HARRIS, Kenisha - 26 |
| Reb: Breanna Harris - 9 | Reb: LOGAN, Lacee - 11 |
| Ast: 2 Players (#33, #3 - 2) | Ast: HIGGINS, Sally - 5 |
| Team Statistics | A&M-Commerce | West Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 27.8% (15-54 ) | 61.5% (32-52 ) |
| Rebounds | 32 | 46 |
| Assists | 6 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 26 | 14 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 4 | 45 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 3 | 14 |
| Pts in the Paint | 16 | 54 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 2 | 14 |
| Bench Pts | 5 | 27 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico (4-9, 2-5 LSC) | 31 | 38 | 69 |
| A&M-Commerce (1-11, 0-6 LSC) | 28 | 24 | 52 |
| Commerce, Texas (The Field House) | |||
| Eastern New Mexico | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|
| Pts: 2 Players (#21, #23 - 17) | Pts: Danielle Dixon - 14 |
| Reb: JOHNSON, Jasmine - 8 | Reb: Breanna Harris - 13 |
| Ast: ALTHEIDE, Hannah - 6 | Ast: Danielle Dixon - 5 |
| Team Statistics | Eastern New Mexico | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 37.7% (23-61 ) | 33.3% (19-57 ) |
| Rebounds | 45 | 40 |
| Assists | 13 | 11 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 16 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 19 | 11 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 15 | 12 |
| Pts in the Paint | 20 | 26 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 2 | 7 |
| Bench Pts | 17 | 10 |
A&M-Commerce Lions at West Texas A&M Lady Buffs
Wednesday, January 4 • 6 p.m.
First United Bank Center • Canyon, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-9, 0-4 LSC); West Texas A&M (7-4, 5-0 LSC)
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Eastern New Mexico Zias
Saturday, January 7 • 6 p.m.
The Field House • Commerce, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-9, 0-4 LSC); Eastern New Mexico (3-8, 1-4 LSC)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (listen online at KETR.org)
Live Video: GoBuffsGo.com (West Texas A&M - $6 fee)
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
Opening Tip
A&M-Commerce returns to action after a two-week break, entering the bulk of its Lone Star Conference schedule. The Lions head to Canyon, Texas, for a showdown with West Texas A&M Wednesday, January 4 at 6 p.m. A&M-Commerce then returns to the Field House, hosting Eastern New Mexico on Saturday, January 7 at 6 p.m.
Lions On The Web
Lion basketball fans will be able to keep up with all the action this week in a pair of Lone Star Conference matches. Scott Harvey will call A&M-Commerce's game at West Texas A&M Wednesday on KETR 88.9 FM and online at KETR.org, with J.P. Heath resuming his play-by-play duties against Eastern New Mexico Saturday. Live video against the Buffaloes and live stats of both games will be available at LionAthletics.com.
Scouting the Lady Buffs
2011-12: 7-4 overall, 5-0 Lone Star, 4-2 home.
Last Three Games: W vs. Angelo State (57-53), W vs. Southwestern Oklahoma (68-61), L vs. Shaw (69-63).
Head Coach: Krista Gerlich (Texas Tech, '93). Sixth season at West Texas A&M (136-35, .795); sixth season overall (136-35, .795).
Lady Buff Key Players:
• Devin Griffin (So., F): 170 pts. (15.5 avg.), 48.3 FG pct., 61 reb. (5.5 avg.), 23 ast., 14 stl., 11 blk.
• Joni Unruh (Sr., G): 102 pts. (10.2 avg.), 47.1 FG pct., 53.8 3FG pct., 41 reb. (4.1 avg.), 32 ast., 26 stl.
• Kenisha Harris (So., F): 99 pts. (9.9 avg.), 44.7 FG pct., 42 reb. (4.2 avg.), 24 ast., 14 stl., 8 blk.
• Ashley Leven (Sr., F): 98 pts. (9.8 avg.), 46.5 FG pct., 59 reb. (5.4 avg.), 10 blk.
• Lacee Logan (So., G): 90 pts. (8.2 avg.), 35.6 FG pct., 81.8 FT pct., 35 reb. (3.2 avg.), 16 ast., 5 stl.
Series Information: West Texas A&M has had the upper hand in the history of the series with A&M-Commerce, holding a commanding 42-5 lead in the all-time series, including winning four-straight. The Lady Buffs defeated the Lions 79-71 last season in Commerce and are 8-2 in their last 10 against A&M-Commerce. The Lions' last victory against West Texas was an 81-71 victory in the 2007 Lone Star Conference tournament, with their last victory in Canyon coming in a 78-69 decision in 2005.
Scouting the Zias
2011-12: 3-8 overall, 1-4 Lone Star, 2-4 road.
Last Three Games: L vs. Angelo State (46-31), L vs. Abilene Christian (92-85, 2OT), W at Oklahoma Panhandle (122-100).
Head Coach: Lindsey Wilson (Central Oklahoma, '00). First season at Eastern New Mexico (3-8, .272); first season overall (3-8, .272).
Zia Key Players:
• Precious Herrin (Sr., F): 217 pts. (19.7 avg.), 58.1 FG pct., 73.8 FT pct., 75 reb. (6.8 avg.), 27 blk.
• Kiara Tate (Sr., G): 96 pts. (8.7 avg.), 30.7 FG pct., 30.8 3FG pct., 85.2 FT pct., 37 reb. (3.4 avg.), 22 ast., 13 stl.
• Hannah Altheide (Jr., G): 85 pts. (7.7 avg.), 30.6 FG pct., 31 reb. (2.8 avg.), 25 ast., 7 stl.
• Tori Northcutt (Sr., G): 80 pts. (7.3 avg.), 26.7 FG pct., 61 reb. (5.5 avg.), 37 ast., 11 stl.
• Lace Clark (Sr., G): 55 pts. (5.5 avg.), 33.3 FG pct., 41 reb. (4.1 avg.), 11 ast., 5 stl.
Series Information: A&M-Commerce and Eastern New Mexico meet for the 50 th time in the series history Saturday with the Zias holding a 29-20 advantage. In recent years, the Lions have had the upper hand, however, winning five-straight over Eastern New Mexico, including a thrilling 64-63 victory in Commerce last season. The Lions are 6-4 in their last 10 against the Zias and have won three-straight over Eastern New Mexico at the Field House.
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 (10.2) while leading the Lions in rebounds per game (9.3). Against Newman, Harris scored 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds, including seven offensive for her fourth double-double of the season. She notched double-doubles against Central State (Nov. 26), at Incarnate Word (Dec. 7) and at Texas Woman's (Dec. 13), including opening 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 15.2 points per game to lead the Lions. She has recorded double figures in nine of the Lions' first 10 games, including a season-high 23 points against Newman on December 29. Dixon ranks fifth in the conference in points per game, averaging 15.2 while ranking among the conference leaders in a handful of other categories.
Lions Among the Lone Star Conference Leaders
Heading into the bulk of the Lone Star Conference season, a pair of Lions sit among the Lone Star Conference statistical leaders. Danielle Dixon ranks fifth in points per game (15.2), 12 th in both free throw percentage (75.0) and three-point percentage (29.4) and tied for 11 th in three pointers made (1.0 per game). Breanna Harris leads the LSC in both rebounds per game (9.3) and offensive rebounds per game (4.8) while ranking fourth in field goal percentage (50.0), ninth in defensive rebounds per game (4.6) and 24 th in points per game (10.2).
Looking Ahead
Following the pair of games this week, the Lions remain at home at the Field House hosting Abilene Christian on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m. A&M-Commerce then heads to San Angelo for a meeting with Angelo State on Saturday, January 14, with the opening tip at 5:30 p.m.