COMMERCE— The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team will host West Texas A&M on Saturday. The game is free of charge to all fans as part of College of Business Fill the Field House. The game will be directly followed by the men's basketball team against WT.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (12-5, 6-3 LSC) vs. West Texas A&M (13-5, 6-3 LSC)
WHERE: The Field House in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.
LIVE STATS: http://statb.us/b/147059
LIVE VIDEO: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/tamucommerce/
LIVE AUDIO: www.ketr.org
TICKETS: The game is part of College of Business Fill the Field House. Admission is free for all fans for both the women's and men's games, beginning at 2 p.m.
 
The Lions are coming off of a 74-67 win over UT Permian Basin on Thursday. Head coach Jason Burton was pleased with the win but knows his team will need to take better care of the basketball than it had in its two previous games.
 
"I thought we played well for the most part," Burton said. "But again, we've had back-to-back games where we have turned the ball over at a high rate. We had 26 on Monday and 24 last night so we are talking about 50 turnovers in two games. And we play West Texas tomorrow. They are a team that presses and zones and they are a team that is long and lengthy. We've got to take care of the ball a lot better. That is one of the concerns tomorrow."
 
In that win over UTPB, the Lions had three different players record a double-double. Artaejah Gay, Khala Riley and Jenna Price each had double-digit points and rebounds. Riley was three assists short of a triple-double in the game. The Lions have had five different players record double-doubles this season. Burton is happy to have a team with multiple players who can make such large impacts on the game.
 
"The good thing about our team is that we are very versatile," he said. "Lately you have seen different starting lineups and you will probably see a different one tomorrow with the size that West Texas has. When you have players like Jenna Price, and Brianna Wise specifically, who can play the guard and the forward because of their size and abilities, it's great. And all year, Khala Riley has been rebounding from the point guard spot, which is nice. When your point guard is able to rebound the ball like she does, she is able to start the break a lot of times. And for Tae to have a game like she had, it is a great confidence builder going into West Texas."
 
The Lions face the top defensive team in the Lone Star Conference on Saturday. But the Lions have been climbing the defensive charts in the conference. They are now ranked third in scoring defense and third in opponent's field goal percentage. Burton said that defense has been an emphasis in practice over the past month.
 
"I thought that, really since after Christmas, we weren't rotating really well. It has been a big emphasis as far as our practice and what we are doing. And it is carrying over to the games. That is going to continue to be an emphasis for us. We've been able to score the ball pretty much all year but it's our ability to get stops. Going back to even the Texas Woman's game on Saturday, the reason why I thought we lost the game was because of our defense late. We had a couple of mishaps where we didn't communicate and we didn't get matched up and we let them get open looks. Defense is a priority for us down the stretch and I think it has to be."
 
The Lions now face West Texas A&M. The Lady Buffs are ranked No. 6 in the region and are currently tied with the Lions for third place in the conference. WT has won 15 consecutive matchups against the Lions. Last season, the Lions lost by two at home to WT and by five on the road.
 
"They have always been good," he said of WT. "It has been a team that we have battled with but have struggled with. This team is bringing back five key players from last year and they did a great job of recruiting. They brought in three key players. They are very talented and very deep. They pose problems as far as their size. When you start girls that are 6'4 and 6'2, they have the biggest frontcourt in the conference."
 
Despite the size of WT and their success against A&M-Commerce, Burton is confident his team can play to its strengths and come out on top.
 
"Even though they have size, I still think we can go inside and get to the free throw line," he said. "That's what we have done all year and that's what we have to do tomorrow. Rebounding is a big key. That and taking care of the basketball. I think that the more possessions we give ourselves, the better chance we have to win."
 
The game is free of charge to fans with the College of Business Fill the Field House promotion. Burton hopes the arena is full of fans that get loud and provide the energy his team needs to knock off one of the top teams in the conference.
 
"It's a free game, so come on out," Burton said. "It is a big game for us as far as the implications of this game. We are both tied for third. Whoever wins this game will pretty much be in third place outright. And it is our last game of the first round of conference. This is a big game for us to be able to go to 7-3 in conference. And it is a big game for the men's team as well. We need as many people as possible to Fill the Field House and be loud. And we need them to not just come but to be loud and be engaged and make as much noise as possible."