Commerce, Texas – The Lions travel to Claremore, Oklahoma to face Rogers State Saturday, December 5 at 2 pm. in the Claremore Expo Center.
The Lions are back at .500 for the third time this season after an impressive 80-60 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Monday, November 30. A&M-Commerce averages 74 points per contest, which ranks them second in the LSC. The Lions are also ranked second in steals averaging 10.67 per game after recording 17 steals last game, a new team single-game record. The Lions have been playing good team ball over the last few games as four Lions lead the team in scoring with ten points per game. The four consists of
Princess Davis,
Khala Riley,
Shomari Harris and
Amari Jones. Jones also leads the team with 12 steals, 11 blocks, and 9.3 rebounds per game and will be returning to her home state of Oklahoma to square off against her previous school in Rogers State.
Rogers State is 4-1 on the season with their only loss coming from LSC member Texas Woman's 56-41 at the Comfort Inn Ashbrook Classic in Wichita Falls, Texas early in the season. The Hillcats are currently on a three game wining streak and are currently sitting in third place in the Heartland Conference. Although only scoring 61.2 points per game, the Hillcats limit their opposition offensively as they lead their conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to 47 points per game this season. Junior forward Natasha Kindred is the team's leader averaging 9.6 points per game shooting 55 percent from the field, and eight rebounds per game. The Hillcats also have a standout freshman by the name of Lauren Schuldt who comes off of the bench averaging 8.2 points per game and leads Rogers State with 11 blocks. Second year coach Bobby Pope is at the helm of the program with a current 12-19 record.
The two programs meet for only the second time in as many years. Last season, the Lions won a 62-55 thriller against the Hillcats at The Field House as the Lions outscored Rogers State 12-5 in overtime.
Natalie Hessong was the second leading scorer in that game with 14 points and shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. For the matchup this season, finishing will be key for the Lions. A&M-Commerce have outscored their opponents in every quarter except the fourth where they are outscored 111-101. Conversely, Rogers State has outscored their opponents in the fourth quarter 86-68.
Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and @Lion_WBB as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.
