COMMERCE, TEXAS – Riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, Lions women's basketball (6-5 overall; 1-1 in LSC) will kick off a four-game home-stand this Sunday against the visiting Angelo State Rambelles (5-7 overall; 0-2 in LSC).
The two schools have played 65 games in their collective histories dating back to the 1980-81, with Angelo State possessing a sizable 43-22 advantage. Over the last 15 years, ASU has found particular success against the Lions, with a 20-5 advantage dating back to the 1999-00 season. Fans can tune into the Lions' bid for revenge on both 88.9 KETR and 107.1 Thunder Country. A live video feed is available at lionathletics.com.
A&M-Commerce will enter Sunday's action coming off a surprisingly close 68-65 win over A&M-Kingsville. Four Lions reached double-digit scoring, with Artaejah Gay coming off the bench to lead the team in scoring with a season-high 14 points on a perfect six for six shooting from the line. Senior guard Ashlee Johnson stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, six assists, three steals and a block in 33 minutes of action.
The Lions are 3-1 at home, their lone-loss coming to the 10-3 East Central Tigers just before the holiday break. Within the friendly confines of the Field House, A&M-Commerce has racked up wins against Ouachita Baptist, Rogers State, and most impressive of all, a 104-73 win over Arlington Baptist. The triple-digit scoring outburst was only the fifth time in school-history that the Lions have surpassed the 100-point mark, and was the third highest single-game score in Lion history.
Senior La'Tisha Hearne has been named LSC Player of the Week twice this season, one each for offensive and defensive honors. The forward has accumulated three double-doubles on the year, and very nearly picked up her fourth in the team's last game against the Javelinas with a 10-9 effort. Hearne ranks fourth in the conference in rebounds, averaging 7.8 per game.
The Rambelles come off a middle-of-the-road 2013-14 season, in which they went 14-13 overall and finished fifth in the conference with a 7-9 record against LSC-competition. Second year head coach Cayla Petree looks to improve upon last year's effort, and a win against the Lions would set the Rambelles well on their way to climbing back up above .500.
ASU enters the game with a variety of dangerous players who could give A&M-Commerce problems. Junior forward Amanda Weaver leads the LSC in 3P Field Goal Percentage, shooting 47.3 percent on the year (26 of 55 from deep). She averages 10 PPG along with 4.7 RPG, and leads her team with 2.4 APG. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Jasmine Caston leads the Rambelles with 15.6 PPG, the third highest mark in the conference. Caston led all scorers with 23 points in the team's loss to Texas Woman's yesterday. Senior center Jackie Patterson rounds things out as the team-leader in rebounding with 5.8 per game, while also scoring 10.8 points per game.
Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, January 11 at 4 p.m. in the Field House. Tickets are $5 for general admission, and $3 for children between 4 and 12. For kids three and below, as well as students with a valid ID, admission is free of charge.
