Commerce, Texas-- The Lions improved their winning streak to three games after defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville 85-61 in their Lone Star Conference home opener.

TEAM LEADERS
A&M-Commerce
Points: Amari Jones, 15
Rebounds: Amari Jones, 11
Assists: Gabby Scott, 4
Steals: Amari Jones, 3
Blocks: Amari Jones, 3

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Kaylin Roher, 13
Rebounds: Kaylee Kana, 8
Assists: Jamesha Wade, 2
Steals: Two players tied with two steals each
Blocks: Two players with one block each
 
1st Half
In the opening Lone Star Conference game for both teams, A&M-Commerce came out aggressively led by Amari Jones who scored six of the Lions first eight points.  Jones also had two blocks in the early going. The Lions aggressive nature continued throughout the first quarter as they outscored the Javalinas in the paint 14-4. After the two teams were tied at 18, the Lions ended the quarter on a 4-0 run to close the first quarter with a 22-18 lead. Amari Jones had six points, four rebounds, and three stills in the first quarter.
 
The Lions started the second quarter strong with an 11-6 run. However, the Javalinas did away with their jitters and battled back to end the quarter on their own 10-2 run, and outscored the Lions 15-13 in the second quarter. A&M-Commerce went into the half with a slim 35-33 lead.
 
After one half, the Lions shot 34 percent from the floor and 28 percent from the three-point line. Yet, despite their questionable shooting, the Lions were a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line that paid huge dividends to get out of the half with the lead. In addition to their good free throw shooting, the Lions forced eight turnovers that translated into four points. The Javalinas shot 41 percent from the field in the first half, but only 20 percent from beyond the arc. Kyra Bauer led Texas A&M-Kingsville in scoring with seven points with Jamesha Wade backing her up with six points herself. For the Lions, Khala Riley matched the first half game-high of seven points, and both Gabby Scott and Amari Jones each ended the half with six points.
 
 
2nd Half
With Texas A&M-Kingsville going into the half with the momentum, A&M-Commerce took their aggression to another level in the third quarter. The Lions went on a 6-0 to start the second half that later turned into a 15-5 run as the Lions took the momentum right out of the Javalinas hands. The Lions defense was stout by not giving up any field goals to Texas A&M-Kingsville for the last seven minutes of the third quarter. The Lions ended the quarter on a 10-3 run and won the third quarter 24-10. In the third quarter alone, the Lions outscored the Javalinas 14-2 in the paint, 15-0 off of turnovers, and 9-0 on second chance points. After three quarters of play, the Lions were ahead 59-43.
 
Although Kaylin Roher drained a three pointer for the first bucket of the fourth quarter, the Lions continued to score points in bunches to close out the Javalinas and coast to an 85-61 victory to open conference play. In the second half, the Lions shot over 50 percent from the floor, and continued their stellar free throw shooting connecting on 10-of-12 attempts at the charity stripe.

Five Lions scored in double figures in the win. Amari Jones led the way, recording her third double double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jones also added on three blocks and three steals. Artaejah Gay followed with 13 points in her third start, which is a single-game high for her this season. Princess Davis chipped in 12 points from off of the bench, and shot 100 percent from the stripe on six attempts. Khala Riley was next in line recording 11 points with three rebounds and two steals, while Gabby Scott continues to play well tallying ten points, a game high of four assists, and two steals.

Kaylin Roher led a trio of Javalins who scored in double figures with 13 points and tied for a team high of two steals. Both Kaylee Kana and Jamesha Wade each had 10 points and together combined for 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions logged their fourth win by 20 or more points and their third one at home.
• The Lions have a 4-1 record at The Field House and are currently on a three-game winning streak.
• The Lions set a new team game record in free throw percentage after finishing the game shooting 89.5% from the stripe (17-of-19).
• The Lions outscored the Javalinas 54-28 in the paint including outscoring them 36-12 in the second half alone.
• A&M-Commerce also recorded more points off of turnovers outscoring Texas A&M-Kingsville 25-7.
• The turning point came in the third quarter where the Lions dominated the Javalinas 24-10. The Lions continued to dominate in the fourth and outscored the Javalinas 50-28 in the second half.
• A&M-Commerce depth showed as they outscored Texas A&M-Kingsville from the bench 32-21.
• Amari Jones 15 points and 11 rebounds notches her third double double this season.
• Jones had the game high in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
• Artaejay Gay and Brittany Adams each recorded new season game highs with13 points and eight points respectively.
• Princess Davis scored in double figures for the first time since their game against Southeastern Oklahoma State (11/30/15).
• Gabby Scott sores in double figures for the third consecutive game.
• Four out of five starters scored in double figures for the Lions.

Burton's Corner

When asked about:
…the Lions getting their first Lone Star Conference win this season.…
"Any and every win is a good feeling, especially when it is a Lone Star Conference win. Those are not easy to come by."
…the strong play in the second half.…
"Pride in our defense and making opponents uncomfortable has been an emphasis for us all year. Tonight, that translated into some easy transition buckets, which essentially was the difference in the game. This team did a great job of coming out of halftime engaged and took an effort from the entire team to pull away in the second half. We will really rely on our depth in conference play to win us games."

GAME INFORMATION
Score: A&M-Commerce 85, Texas A&M-Kingsville 61
Records: A&M-Commerce (7-5, 1-0 LSC), Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-6, 0-1 LSC)
Series: A&M-Commerce are 34-29 against Texas A&M-Kingsville
Location: The Field House Commerce, Texas
Time of Game: 5:30 p.m.