Commerce, Texas— The Lions dropped their second straight, giving Eastern New Mexico their first win at home in conference play.

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Points: Princess Davis, 13
Rebounds: Three players with six rebounds each
Assists: Princess Davis, 3
Steals: Princess Davis, 5
Blocks: Armani Jones, 5

Eastern New Mexico
Points: Kassandra Harris, 20
Rebounds: Eliza Martinez, 8
Assists: Three players with two assists each
Steals: Two players with three stills each
Blocks: Eliza Martinez, 2
 
1st Half
Eastern New Mexico started the game on a 6-2 run but saw their lead diminish after turning the ball over four times in four minutes to help the Lions tie the game at six points a piece. Towards the end of the quarter, Gabby Scoot connected on her first three pointer of the game to put the Lions ahead 12-10. The first quarter ended with both teams tied at 12 as the Greyhounds shot 1-of-8 to end the quarter.
 
The Lions opened the quarter on a 10-3 run early that translated into a 14-5 run halfway thru the second quarter putting the Lions ahead 26-17. The Greyhounds woke up however, after a jumper by Harris and a three ball by Jordyn Cooper, sparking a 7-0 run. Natalie Hessong knocked down a three late in the quarter, and the Lions went into the half with the lead, 32-26.
 
The Lions were firm on the defense end in the first half as the Greyhounds shot 30 percent from the floor (9-of-30), and 16.7 percent from the three-point line (1-of-6). The Lions also had a total of four blocks in the half. Offensively, the Lions shot 42.3 percent from the floor (11-of-26), 33.3 percent from three-point range (3-of-9), and 70 percent from the stripe (7-of-10). Gabby Scott leads the way in scoring with five points, while Kassandra Harris was the lone player in double-digit scoring with 13 points for Eastern New Mexico.
 
2nd Half
After six quick points by Artaejah Gay, Eastern New Mexico went on a massive 11-0 run to take a 41-39 lead. The Greyhounds outscored the Lions 25-14 in the third period and the Lions ended the quarter down 51-46 after shooting 1-of-11 on their last 12 shots.
 
The Lions came out in the fourth quarter battling for a win and went on a 6-0 run after two free throws by Amari Jones to cut the lead down to one point, 57-56. Unfortunately, the Greyhounds struck right back with their own 8-2 run to extend their lead to 64-58 with 52 seconds left. The Lions tried to make one more push after a three pointer by Gabby Scott, but Eastern New Mexico closed the door with stellar free throw shooting at the end by shooting a perfect 8-of-8 at the line to win the game 73-65.
 
Princess Davis led the Lions with 13 points, five steals, and three assists. Artaejah Gay finished with 12 points and had a team high of six rebounds, tied with Armani Jones, and Krystal Pickron. Kassandra Harris had a 20 piece in scoring and shot 80 percent from the free throw line on 8-of-10 attempts. Sarah Stinnett scored 17 points with six rebounds, three stills, and shot an even better 90 percent from the free throw line (9-of-10). Jordyn Cooper and Johna McClelland each had 14 points, and shot a combined 8-of-8 from the charity stripe.
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions five-game winning streak comes to an end
• A&M-Commerce shot 28 percent from the field (9-of-32), and from the three-point line (2-of-7) in the second half.
• Eastern New Mexico shot 41% from the field (14-of-34) in the second half. The Lions
• Ten Lions were on the scoreboard after the first half of play.
• The Lions four blocks in the first half was one off of the Lions single-game high this season of five blocks.
• Four of Eastern New Mexico players finished the game in double figures in scoring (Kassandra Harris 20, Sarah Stinnett 17, Johna McClelland 14, and Jordyn Cooper 14).
• The Lions were outscored 32-26 in the paint.
• The Lions set a new single-game high this season with seven blocks.
• Princess Davis set a new career high of five steals in one game.
• Amari Jones set a new single-game career high with five blocks.

Burton's Corner
When asked about:

…the second half lapse.…
"We stopped doing what we knew to do and let them take us away from our game. We also missed ten free throws in the second half. Something we cannot afford to do, especially late in tight games. We have to be more mentally tough on the road if we want to win in this conference."

GAME INFORMATION
Score: A&M-Commerce 65, Eastern New Mexico 73
Records: A&M-Commerce (9-9, 3-4 LSC), Eastern New Mexico (7-10, 2-5 LSC)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 26-33 against Eastern New Mexico
Location: Greyhound Arena Portales, N.M.
Time of Game: 3 p.m.