COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team will open up their season Friday night as they travel to Colorado to face Colorado State-Pueblo on Friday and Metropolitan State University of Denver on Saturday.
WHO & WHEN: Texas A&M-Commerce vs. Colorado State Pueblo, Friday November 11 at 6 p.m. CST
A&M-Commerce at Metro State, Saturday November 12 at 8 p.m. CST
WHERE: Auraria Event Center in Denver, Colo.
LIVE VIDEO & STATS FOR BOTH GAMES: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/msudenver/
The Lions finished their preseason with an exhibition game against TCU. While the Lions lost the game, head coach
Jason Burton was pleased with the way his team competed against an upper division team.
"I like the level of consistency that we had and the way we played with no fear," he said. "When they scored or made a run, we didn't stop playing hard. We fought right back. Those are the characteristics that lead to success. There is a certain level of mental toughness that I saw from our team that really excites me. That translates well to when we start playing Division II opponents.
Throughout the offseason, Burton and his staff have experimented with different lineups and players playing multiple positions. He is excited to have a myriad of players who can transition anywhere between shooting guard and power forward.
"I think we are talented at multiple positions and that's exciting," he said. "This year we have more depth at more positions. We are trying to get reps and get players comfortable playing those positions but once that happens, I think this team will be a lot of fun to coach and a lot of fun to watch. The girls are excited to get this season started."
This two-game tournament is the second consecutive year A&M-Commerce has faced these two teams to begin their season. They finished 1-1 against the teams last year.
The team opens up their season against Colorado State-Pueblo, who beat them 68-62 last year. The Thunder Wolves finished 26-6 last season and won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) postseason tournament. They were picked to win the conference this season in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. They return two players who were selected First Team All-Conference in Tuileisu Anderson and Molly Rohrer, both of whom scored in double-digits against the Lions last season.
"They are a talented team that will execute at a high level," Burton said. "They are going to try and control the tempo with their style of play and they are used to winning. They made it to the national tournament last year and they are going to be one of the better teams in this region. That's part of the reason why we scheduled them. For us to get to the regional tournament and be able to play at a high level, we have got to play the best. We are excited for that challenge."
The Lions then will face the tournament host, Metro State, who finished 13-15 last year. The Lions won their matchup 63-59 last season. Burton mentioned Texas-native Emily Hartegan when he talked about the challenges Metro State brings. She scored 30 points in a preseason scrimmage this year.
"They had a solid team last year and we played them to a close game and we pulled out a win," Burton said of Metro State. "Don't think that's not going to be in the back of their mind that we beat them. Most of those girls are back. They execute well and they have girls that can score. Both games are going to be tough. We are going to be challenged right out of the gate."
The team's goal is to win both games, but Burton said it would not be easy. He looks forward to the challenge and having his team tested in multiple ways. But he likes the makeup of his team and how the team has come together in a short time with seven new additions.
"This is a fun team to be around, both on and off the court," he said. "They like to be around one another. You want to play harder for someone who you like to be around and that you have fun with. It's not just a teammate but it's also a sister. That is something that is special about our team."
