ABILENE, TEXAS – Lions women's basketball started its season in exciting fashion on Saturday, bouncing back from a 13 point halftime deficit to force overtime and eventually beat the McMurry Warhawks 82-80.
 
At halftime, the Lions trailed 29-42 after McMurry tore off a 21-3 run to close out the half. The Lions responded with a run of their own at the dawn of the second half, rattling off an 18-8 streak in the first nine minutes to come within two at 47-49.
 
After the Lions came back, the Warhawks and Lions traded blows evenly for the final 11 minutes of the second half. With the Warhawks leading by three, sophomore transfer Natalie Hessong buried a clutch three-pointer to send the Lions to overtime.
 
Freshman guard Princess Davis was on the floor longer than any other Lion, logging 41 minutes in her collegiate debut. Davis contributed in several phases of the game, tallying eight points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Most importantly, she dropped in the game-winning layup in overtime to seal the Lions first win against McMurry since 1978. Senior Ashlee Johnson had a similar game, playing big minutes in overtime and finishing the day with four steals to go along with her 7-5-5 line.
 
Senior forward La'Tisha Hearne led all Lions with an impactful opening night, scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds to go with her three blocks and two steals. Hearne made her living in the paint, forcing her way to the foul line for 13 tries, sinking nine of them.
 
Forwards Artaejah Gay and Abigail Leaupepe-Tele gave the Lions needed-boosts off the bench. Gay provided a strong outing, putting up 12 points and six boards in 29 minutes of action. Leaupepe-Tele meanwhile was a menace in the key, scoring 11 points and crashing the glass for eight boards and two blocks in only 17 minutes of action. Both were big factors in the Lions' ability to outscore McMurry's bench 34-20.
 
The Lions will carry the momentum of Saturday's win on Monday, as they continue their season-opening road trip against Henderson State. They will tip off at the Duke Wells Center on Monday, November 17 at 5:30 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2014-15 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.