COMMERCE, TEXAS – A&M-Commerce women's basketball (7-6 overall; 2-2 in LSC) will face their final non-conference opponent of the regular season, when the McMurry Warhawks (2-15) come to the Field House for a rematch of the Lions' first game of the season.
 
In their previous matchup, La'Tisha Hearne led the way with a 17-13 double-double in addition to three blocks and two steals. Yet, McMurry led by three in the final seconds of regulation. Natalie Hessong saved the Lions with a timely three that tied things up with four seconds to go, sending the game to overtime. In the extra time, action went back and forth, but with the game tied with two seconds to go, Princess Davis played the hero by converting a layup with two seconds left, sending the Lions to an 82-80 overtime win in their first game of the season. Fans now have the opportunity to experience the rematch by tuning in live to either 88.9 KETR or 107.1 Thunder Country. A live video feed is available at lionathletics.com.
 
Hearne's double-double against McMurry was one of three she's put up on the season. However, her last one came over five weeks ago in the win over Rogers State. The senior forward arguably put up her best game of the season against the Warhawks, and will be looking to recapture such success this time around.
 
Davis meanwhile made her A&M-Commerce debut against McMurry with a relatively average game by her standards, scoring eight points, five rebounds and four assists to go with three steals. The freshman out of Shreveport has twice reached the 20-point plateau on the year, the only Lion besides Hearne to accomplish that feat this season, and will look to improve upon her outing in Abilene.
 
Since resuming the season following the holiday break, the Lion bench has been significant strides, which will be key against McMurry. Freshman forward Artaejah Gay has come on strong in her last four games, averaging 11.5 points and 7.3 rebounds through that span. Before this latest outburst, her most impressive outing came against McMurry, where she scored 12 points and six rebounds in her first game in the blue and gold. Meanwhile, RS senior Abigail Leaupepe-Tele has managed five double-digit scoring performances on the year despite only averaging a mere 17.5 minutes per contest. Both players will be key in providing the Lions with an added threat in the frontcourt rotation.
 
McMurry comes off a dismal 2013-14 season in which they went 3-23 on the year, finishing 10th overall in the Heartland Conference. This year, after leaving the Heartland and finding themselves temporarily without a conference, the Warhawks have gone 2-15 against mixed competition, ranging as high as Division I against the likes of UT Arlington and Houston Baptist, and as low as NAIA schools such as Mid-America Christian. Coincidentally, their two wins have been bracketed by games with A&M-Commerce. Their first came immediately following their first game with the Lions, when they beat Adams State 62-58 on the road. Then, after losing 14 straight, their last game against the visiting Howard Payne Yellow Jackets resulted in a 62-56 win.
 
Statistically speaking, the Warhawks don't exactly have a main offensive threat, as four different players lead the way by averaging nine points a game. In their most recent win against HPU, leading rebounder Taylor Russell (7.6 RPG) stood in at that role with a 20-13 double-double in 39 minutes of play. In their previous game against the Lions, a different Taylor filled the scoring-leader role, as Taylor Neal logged a double-double of her own with a 15-12 performance. Two other players of note, Adijatu Disu and Mishae Roper are extremely effective in tallying rare stats. The two have combined for 36 steals and 28 blocks on the season, which averages out to 2.2 SPG and 1.7 BPG between the two of them.
 
On paper, the Lions should have a dearth of statistical advantages over the Warhawks. A&M-Commerce averages 13.6 more points (67.6 vs. 54.0), five more assists (13.5 vs. 8.5), and nearly nine percent better shooting from the field (39.7% vs. 31.0%). However, the one area in which the Warhawks have an undeniable advantage is from the free throw line (73.3% vs. 65.0%). In their last meeting, McMurry made it to the line for an unusually high 45 attempts, the most the Lions have seen shot by an opponent this season. That will be an area head coach Jason Burton will need to keep an eye on as the game progresses.
 
Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, January 17 at 4 p.m. in the Field House. Tickets for the double-header cost $8 for general admission. Children between 4 and 12 years old will be charged $5 for entrance. For kids ages three and below, as well as current students with a valid ID, admission is free of charge.