Commerce, Texas—A&M-Commerce gets consecutive wins for the first time this season after defeating Henderson State 73-61.

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Points: Gabby Scott, 14
Rebounds: Audrisa Harrison, 8
Assists: Shomari Harris, 6
Steals: Three players tied with two steals each
Blocks: Amari Jones, 1

Henderson State
Points: Victoria Stewart, 19
Rebounds: Victoria Stewart, 9
Assists: Megan Hartness, 3
Steals: Three players tied with one steal each
Blocks: Brittany Branum, 1
 
1st Half
Henderson State came out strong in the first quarter after receiving a jump-start by Victoria Stewart connecting on her first three-point shot attempt four minutes into the first quarter. The Reddies continued to pull the trigger from downtown and ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run including a buzzer beater by Haleigh Henson. Henson and Stewart both finished the quarter with two threes a piece and Henson finished with eight of the Reddies 16 first quarter points.
 
In the second quarter, The Lions locked up on defense grabbing 11 defensive boards and forcing Henderson State into five turnovers. The Lions defense translated into points as seven of their eight points off of turnovers in the first half came in the second quarter alone. The Lions were on a 6-0 heading into the half with a 23-20 lead until Victoria Stewart launches a prayer that goes in after barely touching the rim with time expiring. With the score tied at 23 at halftime, both teams struggled on the offensive end. Henderson State shot 8-of-32 from the floor while A&M-Commerce shot 8-of-36. Henderson State's 41.7 percent on 5-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc was their bread and butter in the half scoring 15 of their 23 points. The Lions tried to mimic the Reddies, but instead shot a ghastly 1-of-12 from the three-point line. Conversely, the Lions defense was sturdy, and have been all season, forcing five total turnovers; six of them via stolen. Gabby Scott and Shomari Harris each ended the half with a team high of five points and one steal. Victoria Stewart tallied a game high of nine points and seven rebounds in one half of play. Stewart also shot 50 percent from three-point territory. 
 
2nd Half
The third quarter was a tightly contested quarter with neither team willing to give in. After trading baskets for a few possessions, Henderson State went on a 7-0 run to take a 33-27 lead with roughly 5:30 left in the third quarter. Later, the Lions go on their own 9-0 run ending with a big three by senior Gabby Scott to take a 41-38 lead. Unfortunately, Victoria Stewart answers back to tie the game which happened to be the last field goal for the Reddies in the quarter with two minutes remaining. Ultimately, the Reddies outscored the Lions 22-20 and headed into the fourth quarter with a 45-43 lead.
 
With a 45-43 score, the fourth quarter was expected to be down to the wire. However, the Lions had different plans scoring 30 points in the fourth quarter and allowed only 16 by the Reddies. The Lions jumped out to an 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter, grabbing hold to a 52-49 lead that they would retain for the remainder of the game. The 8-0 turned into a 14-2 run for the Lions, all before the media timeout landmark. After two made free throws by Henderson State, the Lions go on another 7-0 run, capped off by a layup from Krystal Pickron while getting fouled and completing the three-point play. The Lions went on to win the game in double figures after three quarters of grinding.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions are over .500 since winning the season opener against MSU-Denver.
• The Lions are 4-2 in their last six games.
• A&M-Commerce 30 points in the fourth quarter is the most points the Lions have scored in one quarter this season.
• In the second half, the Lions shot 56% from the floor, 50% from beyond the arc, and 100% from the free throw line (6-of-6).
•  The Lions outscored the Reddies in the paint 30-16, in second chance points 20-9, and in bench points 24-15.
• After being out rebounded in the first half, the Lions win the war on the glass 50-42.
• A&M-Commerce went 12-of-14 from the stripe.
• The Lions had less than 10 turnovers for the second time this season.
• Gabby Scott had a team high of 14 points and made three three-pointers in the second half.
• Shomari Harris, Artaejah Gay, Amari Jones, Krystal Pickron, and Princess Davis each had nine points. Pickron and Davis came off of the bench.
• Victoria Stewart had a game high of 19 points and shot 5-9 from three-point range.
• Stewart and Haleigh Henson combined for 8-of-15 from the three-point line.
• Victoria Stewart, Dulincia Keener, and Haleigh Henson each scored in double figures with 19, 13, and 11 points respectively.

 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: A&M-Commerce 73, Henderson State 61
Records: A&M-Commerce (6-5, 0-0 LSC), Henderson State (5-5, 4-0 GAC)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 3-8 against Henderson State
Location: The Field House Commerce, Texas
Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.