COMMERCE, TEXAS – A&M-Commerce women's basketball (11-8; 5-4 in LSC) returns to the Field House this Saturday to host the second place Midwestern State (17-3; 8-2 in LSC), who received votes in the latest USA Today Poll.
 
The Lions' drew the Mustangs in Wichita Falls as their first assignment of 2015 following their time off for winter break. A&M-Commerce gave MSU a run for their money in the beginning of the second half, but the Mustangs ultimately pulled away and put the game out of reach late, winning 77-55. Gabby Scott was the only Lion to reach double-figures, with ten points, while freshman Princess Davis set a career-high with eight assists. MSU was led offensively by Dianna Jones' 16-point, 5 assist performance. Shambreka Jones nearly had a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds, while adding four blocks and two steals on the day. Fans can tune in to 88.9 KETR or 107.1 Thunder Country live as the Lions try to settle the score. A video feed will also be made available via lionathletics.com.
 
Scott has been red-hot for the Lions of late, having set and re-set her scoring career-high three times over the last six games. Over that span, she's averaged 15.8 points on 2.5 three-pointers per game. Her offensive production has been nicely juxtaposed by the acumen of Ashlee Johnson, the reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week. Johnson is currently fourth overall in the conference in steals at 1.8 SPG, and recently had a stellar performance against Tarleton State with a near triple-double, going for 11 points, eight assists, seven boards and four steals.
 
Senior forward La'Tisha Hearne comes off her highest scoring performance since mid-December, putting up 16 against Cameron in the loss to go along with eight rebounds. Abigail Leaupepe-Tele nearly had a double-double with an eight point, 12 rebound performance. The two seniors rank fifth and seventh in the conference with 8.0 and 6.5 rebounds per game respectively.
 
The most dangerous weapon for the Mustangs this season has been senior forward Andrea Carter, who ranks first in the conference in rebounds (9.9 RPG), fifth in scoring (13.4 PPG), first in free throw percentage (83.2%), and third in steals (2.1 SPG). Dianna Jones is an even more effective scorer, while also putting in valuable work in the passing game. She ranks third in the LSC in scoring (13.9 PPG) and fourth in assists (3.8 APG). Reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Week Lisa Hampton rounds things out for MSU as the resident three-point specialist, leading the conference in three-point percentage at 43.5 percent.
 
On paper, the Lions and Mustangs are similarly matched, with comparable numbers in scoring, assists, turnovers and steals. MSU's big advantage would appear to be their huge +10.6 scoring-margin, compared to the Lions' +0.1. The Lions meanwhile are the best rebounding team in the conference at 41.5 RPG.
 
Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at 4 p.m. in the Field House. General admission for the double-header costs $8. For children between 4 and 12, tickets cost $5. For kids under 3 years old, as well as current students with a valid ID, admission is free of charge.