COMMERCE, TEXAS – A&M-Commerce women's basketball (7-5 overall; 2-1 in LSC) kicked off its home stand in style, handily defeating the visiting Angelo State Rambelles (5-8 overall; 0-3 in LSC) to extend their winning streak to three games and move above .500 in LSC play.
 
For the first time this season, A&M-Commerce had five players reach double-digit scoring. Senior forwards Abigail Leaupepe-Tele and La'Tisha Hearne both flirted with double-doubles with matching 10 point, eight rebound outings. Leaupepe-Tele added two steals and a block, and for the fifth time this season tallied double-digit scoring in under 20 minutes of action. In a game where head coach Jason Burton was able to empty his bench in the closing minutes, the Lions earned the rare distinction of having all 12 of the players who checked in score points.
 
"Every conference game is a big win, and I'm just proud of the way they played tonight," said Burton, "It means the world that these girls take pride in defending this floor and ensure that their home fans get the best A&M-Commerce team they can get."
 
The Lions would start the game on a breakneck tear, going on a 20-5 run through the first ten minutes of play. Angelo State managed to claw their way back into things thanks to a barrage of lights-out three point shooting from the LSC-leader in three point percentage Amanda Weaver (6 of 11 from deep), but the closest the Rambelles would ever come was 36-32, early in the second half. The Lion forwards played effective defense on the interior, as ASU has held scoreless in the paint until the 1:24 mark of the first half.
 
Freshman forward Artaejah Gay came off the bench and logged her second consecutive double-digit scoring performance with 10 points. In only 14 minutes of action, she would go on to add six rebounds, two assists and a team-leading three steals. Sophomore forward Natalie Hessong also gave the Lions a shot in the arm from the bench with her second double-digit outing of the season, chipping in 10 points.
 
Senior guard Ashlee Johnson followed up her diversified stat-sheet from the A&M-Kingsville game with yet another well-rounded line, scoring 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals on a perfect three for three shooting from the charity stripe.
 
In addition to the head-turning final score, the Lions outperformed the Rambelles in the turnover battle, committing only 13 to Angelo State's 22. Not only that, A&M-Commerce trounced ASU in shooting, compiling 50 percent (31 of 62) to the Rambelles' 27 percent (17 of 63).
 
"We had several goals, and one of them was to take care of the ball. We wanted to have less than 13 turnovers and we wanted to outrebound them, and we ended up doing both," said Burton, "When we play as a team, we're tough to beat."
 
In the losing effort, ASU saw the aforementioned Weaver go off for a career-high 25 points, to which she added eight rebounds and a steal. Freshman guard KeAnna Kelly had a career night as well, dropping a personal high 15 points and three assists.
 
With the loss, Angelo State drops its first game to A&M-Commerce since the 2011-12 season. They now drop to 5-8 overall and 0-3 in the conference, with a trip to No. 3 ranked West Texas A&M (10-2 overall; 1-1 in LSC) looming next.
 
The Lions meanwhile will have two days off before continuing their home stand against the visiting Cameron Aggies (4-7 overall; 1-1 in LSC). Tipoff for that game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Field House.