The Tigers snapped the Lions two game-winning streak against them and snaps their own four game losing streak with a 66-64 win in their home opener.  

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Points: Shomari Harris, 14
Rebounds: Amari Jones, 13
Assists: Shomari Harris, 7
Steals: Two players with three steals each
Blocks: Amari Jones, 2

Ouachita Baptist
Points: Breanna Harris, 20
Rebounds: Breanna Harris, 9
Assists: Alexis Sharp, 5
Steals: Two players with two steals each
Blocks: Kori Bullard, 6
 
1st Half
It was a tough start for the Lions in Bill Vining Arena after being called for nine fouls in the first quarter alone. In addition to the whistle, the Tigers did their fair share of work connecting on 4-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc with two coming from Breanna Harris who led the Tigers with 9 points in the quarter. The Lions ended the quarter down by 14 points 26-12.
 
The Lions started to find their groove in the second quarter after Shomari Harris gave the Lions some life. Harris went into the half leading the Lions with eight points, all coming in the second quarter and adding three assists and two steals. The Lions ended the half down by nine 43-34 after climbing back in the game as the quarter expired. The Tigers finished the half shooting just over 40 percent from the floor and three point line and 80 percent from the charity stripe. The Tigers had two players in double figures when the teams hit intermission. Katie Kapler led with 14 points and Breanna Harris followed with 11. 
 
2nd Half
The second half started out as a defensive battle as no bucket was scored until three minutes into the third quarter. The Lions struck first in their comeback attempt with a layup from Krystal Pickron after a steal by Khala Riley. Missed layups in the paint and unforced turnovers really plagued the Lions but defensively, they held the Tigers to only six points in the entire quarter. Towards the end of the quarter, Shomari Harris hits a huge three to cut the lead down to four at 49-45. That momentum held throughout the end of the quarter as the Lions erased a 16 point deficit and ended the quarter tied with the Tigers at 49. 
 
The fourth quarter was entertaining to say the least as 10 of the 12 lead changes came in this frame. Late in the final period with the score tied at 64, the Tigers missed a layup and what looked like a jump ball resulted as an over the back call on Audrisa Harrison with 14 seconds left. After a 30 second timeout, Katherine West drove in for the Tigers and got the home court roll to take a 66-64 lead with 8.2 seconds left on the clock. The Lions came back down the court and Khala Riley went in for the layup. Unfortunately, the ball rolled off of the rim and into the possession of the Tigers giving them their first win of the season.


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions played great defensively in the second half holding the Tigers to only 32.1% shooting from the field and 15.5% from the three point line. The Tigers shot over 40% in both categories in the first half.
• The Lions ended the game with 12 steals to the Tigers five and outworked them on the boards wining the rebound battle 49-39.
• The Lions won the third quarter 15-6.
• After the 26-point first quarter, the Tigers failed to score 18 points in the remaining three quarters.
• Shomari Harris and Khala Riley finished the game scoring in double figures with 14 and 13 points respectively. Harris also had a team high as well as individual season high of seven assists.
• Amari Jones had a season high of 14 rebounds.
• For the Tigers, Breanna Harris had 20 points, Katie Kapler with 16 points, and Katherine West with 11 points including the game winning basket. Kori Bullard controlled the paint defensively for the Tigers with six blocks.

Burton's Corner
When asked about:
…the Lions fight when down by 16 points.…
"We fought back well but we underestimated this team and dug ourselves a hole. We came out in the second half ready to fight and held Ouachita Baptist to only six points in the third quarter. But then we relaxed in the fourth and gave up 17 points. We stopped attacking and only shot four free throws in the entire second half. Although we played sound defense in the third, unforced turnovers really killed us. We could have capitalized more in the third quarter if we took care of the ball better. In all three of our losses this year, we have been down. How we fight and comeback when we are down shows a lot of character but we must learn how to finish."

GAME INFORMATION
Sets: A&M-Commerce 64, Ouachita Baptist 66
Records: A&M-Commerce (2-3, 0-0 LSC), Ouachita Baptist (1-4, 0-2 GAC)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 2-10 against Ouachita Baptist
Location: Bill Vining Arena Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Time of Game: 6 p.m.