Commerce, Texas— The Lions defeat the Patriots 113-95 and shatters previous team and individual records along the way.

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Points: Artaejah Gay, 30
Rebounds: Shomari Harris, 10
Assists: Shomari Harris, 6
Steals: Princess Davis, 5
Blocks: Two players with one block each

Arlington Baptist
Points: Jade Johnson, 23
Rebounds: Morgan Hale, 14
Assists: Two players tied with four assists each
Steals: Two players tied with two steals each
Blocks: Morgan Hale, 1
 
1st Half
Both teams started fast offensively as Arlington Baptist ended the first quarter with a 26-25 lead. The Patriots connected on six three-pointers including three made by Elaine Herrera. Herrera ended the first quarter with 11 points scored.
 
In the second quarter, the Patriots continued to find the mark from downtown on offense. On defense however, they had no answer for Artaejah Gay as she scored the first ten points in the quarter for the Lions. Gay dropped 18 points in the second quarter alone and tied her career single-game high of 22 points in one half of play. Both teams struggled defensively, as the Patriots shot 55 percent from the floor, while the Lions did even better, shooting 60 percent from the field. The Lions could not cool the Patriots down from downtown as they shot a jaw-dropping 50 percent from the three-point line and had 11 three-point field goals made in the first half.
 
Artaejah Gay's 22 points lead the game at this junction as she shot 10-of-12 from the floor. Princess Davis helped Gay carry the load by adding 13 points. Morgan Hale and Elaine Herrera led Arlington Baptist in scoring with 14 points each.
 
2nd Half
The Lions found a little glimpse of light to extend their lead and pull away in the third quarter. The Lions went on a 6-0 run early and seemed to finally cool down the streaky shooting of Arlington Baptist throughout the duration of the third quarter. The Lions outscored the Patriots in the paint 20-10, and overall in the quarter 31-22 to gain a 91-81 lead by the end of the third quarter.
 
The Lions continued to roll with the momentum they built in the third quarter. Gabby Scott nails a corner three with 4:31 left on the clock to put the Lions up 106-87. On their next possession, Zenobia Winbush found herself at the free throw line, knocking down both freebees to give the Lions a 21-point lead; their largest of the game. The Lions closed out the game strong and shot 56.8 percent from the floor in the second half to win 113-95.
 
Artaejah Gay led the Lions in scoring and set a new career single-game record with 30 points. Princess Davis put a new season high on the board with 23 points and recorded her second straight game with five steals. Krystal Pickron and Shomari Harris each had 14 points, while Harris recorded her first double-double this season with ten rebounds. Gabby Scott was the final Lion in double digit scoring with ten points and added four assists to her stat line. Five Patriots scored in double figures as well, starting with Jade Johnson who had 23 points. Morgan Hale reached her average of 21 points and added 14 rebounds for a double-double. Elaine Herrera had 14 points albeit 11 of them were scored in the first quarter. Hannah McGaughy chipped in 12 points, while Tori Wise had 11 of her own.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions end a two-game losing skid as they enter back into conference play.
• After shooting 50% with the three-ball, the Lions guarded the perimeter better in the second half as the Patriots shot 33.3% (3-of-9) from three-point range.
• The Lions outrebounded Arlington Baptist 49-35 overall and 13-8 on the offensive glass.
• A&M-Commerce outscored Arlington Baptist 66-26 in the paint, 26-9 off of turnovers, 15-5 on second chance points and 30-6 on fast break points.
• The Lions 58.5% field goal percentage (48-82) is a new season high.
• A&M-Commerce set a new team game record with 113 points scored.
• Before Artaejah Gay's 30-point performance, the last Lion to score 30 or more points in one game was Brittany Jordan in 2009. Jordan scored 39 points against Texas Woman's.
• 30 points is Artaejah Gay's career single-game high as well as 14 made field goals.
• Shomari Harris ten rebounds is a new career single-game high.
• Krystal Pickron had 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assist. All are new career single-game highs.

Burton's Corner
When asked about:
…the teams performance.…
"Offensively, we did a great job. We kept our turnovers to a minimum, we pushed the ball, and we played inside out. Our threes didn't fall but we got good looks tonight. Our transition defense has got to be better though. When we pressed in the first half, we did a poor job of stopping the ball early and did not guard the three-point line. We did however clean it up in the second half."
…the importance of tonight's win…
"It's good to see the ball going in the bucket and to get a win going into a big road conference game on Saturday. Tarleton State is a tough place to win at and we need to play well, and as a team to get the win there."

GAME INFORMATION
Score: A&M-Commerce 113, Arlington Baptist 95
Records: A&M-Commerce (10-9, 3-4 LSC), Arlington Baptist (12-5, 2-1 NCCAA)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 2-0 against Arlington Baptist
Location: The Field House Commerce, Texas
Time of Game: 5:30 p.m.