Commerce, Texas – The Lions take on the TexAnns Saturday, January 30 in Stephenville, Texas to wrap up the month of January as well as the first half of Lone Star Conference competition.
After two consecutive losses, the Lions find themselves back in the winning column with a 113-95 win over Arlington Baptist. As they enter back into conference competition, the Lions are looking to find a rhythm on the road as they suffer a 3-7 overall record, and 1-3 Lone Star Conference record this season in opposing gyms. The Lions are ranked third in the Lone Star Conference in scoring with 72.3 points per game, field goal percentage (41 percent from the field), and free throw shooting percentage (70 percent from the charity stripe). The Lions are also the second best unit in the conference in rebounding as they pull down 28.9 defensive boards per game, and 14.1 offensive rebounds per game.
Amari Jones is responsible for a good chunk of those boards as she the Lions leading rebounder with 8.6 grabs off of the glass in each contest. Jones 8.6 rebounds per game ties her for first place in the Lone Star Conference, and is the second leading rebounder in the conference with 155 total rebounds.
Artaejah Gay leads the Lions with 11.4 points per game after a 30-point career high performance against Arlington Baptist. In her two years at A&M-Commerce, Gay now has over 400 total points.
Princess Davis is behind Gay with 10.2 points per game and has 52 total assists.
Shomari Harris,
Gabby Scott, and
Amari Jones each average nine points per game.
The TexAnns are 9-9 this season and have a 3-5 Lone Star Conference record. Tarleton State has lost three of their last four games including their last game, an overtime loss against West Texas A&M 78-73. The TexAnns average 67.3 points per game shooting 39% from the floor, and are one of the top defensive units in the Lone Star Conference, giving up 63 points per game. The TexAnns do post a decent 7-4 record at home and outscores their opponents by 44 points in the first quarter and 25 points in the fourth quarter this season. Bailey Wipff leads the TexAnns with 13.8 points per game, 32 total steals, and shoots 42.1 percent on the deep ball. Wipff is also the second leading scorer in the Lone Star Conference. Ikpeaku Iwobi is another key player this season for Tarleton State averaging 9.7 points per game, and leads the team in rebounds with 146 total boards, and averages 8.1 rebounds per game. Iwobi is the second leading rebounder in the Lone Star Conference. The TexAnns are coached by Misty Wilson, who enters her second season at the helm of the program with an overall 26-19 record.
The Lions trail in the all-time series against the TexAnns, 19-30. The Lions are on a five-game losing streak at Wisdom Gym dating back to the 2010-11 season. Home court advantage seems to play a big role when these two programs meet with the Lions posting an 11-9 clip at The Field House and the TexAnns with a 14-5 record at Wisdom Gym. In the last two seasons, the series is tied at two games apiece.
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.
