Commerce, Texas –
La'Tisha Hearne scored a career-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lions second double-double of the season as A&M-Commerce fought off Ouachita Baptist en route to a 66-56 win to improve to 2-1 on the season in the Lion Field House in nonconference action.
Hearne, who was an efficient 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free throw line, averages a double-double on the season with 16.5 points per game and 11 rebounds per game following Saturday's break out performance.
Kiana Evans contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. Evans' offensive contribution was match by her defensive effort as she notched game-high four steals and one blocked shot.
"We went to La'Tisha and Kiana in the first half offensively and they could not stop us, but it was Evans' defense that
changed the game in the second half," head coach
Jason Burton said. "Offensively we went away from the paint early in the second half, but we got refocused on getting paint touches. We had to regroup our defense too in the second half, but they settled in and did a great job. Our goal every game is to hold opponents under eight offensive rebounds, and today was the first game we have done that this season."
The Lions controlled the boards outrebounding the Tigers 54-36 including a 17-6 advantage on the offensive glass. The 17 offensive boards led to 22 second chance points for A&M-Commerce, while OBU only scored three second chance points.
A&M-Commerce focus on paint touches was evident as the Lions scored 44 points in the lane, compared to only 10 for the Tigers.
The Lions finished with a 39 percent shooting percentage, while limiting the Tigers to only 31 percent overall. OBU held higher three-point field goal percentage knocking down nine of its 24 attempts for 38 percent, while TAMUC only hit one of its eight shots from long range for 13 percent.
The Lions came out of the gate fast going on an 8-2 run to start the game. A&M-Commerce led by as many as 14 points and took a 10-point lead into the locker room. The Tigers were able to cut into the lead to start the second half getting within four points with 15:20 to go. The Lions answered right back with an 8-2 run and Finished off the 66-56 victory.
The Lions pick up their second win of the season a feat the Lions didn't accomplish until January 4 and 10 games into the season. A&M-Commerce next game is a road match-up with Texas A&M International on Tuesday, November 25 at 7 p.m.
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