WICHITA FALLS– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team lost a close 69-66 contest against Midwestern State on Saturday. The Lions had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds but were unable to convert.
 
The loss brings A&M-Commerce to 4-4 on the season and 1-1 in the Lone Star Conference. MSU improves to 5-2 and 2-0 in conference play.
 
The Lions return home next week to host their conference home opener. The Lions host Eastern New Mexico on Thursday at 11 a.m. as part of Education Day.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Lions had four players in double figures, led by Brianna Wise with 21 points. It was Wise's second consecutive 20-point game and her fourth of the season. Wise scored 11 consecutive points for A&M-Commerce spanning the first and second quarters.
- Artaejah Gay had 16 points in the contest, moving her just nine points away from entering the top-10 in school history.
- Princess Davis scored 13 points and had a season-high six assists. Melanie Ransom added 10 points and had a team-high seven rebounds.
- The Lions struggled from the foul line in the game, shooting just 13-of-22, a 59.1 percent clip.
- The Lions caused 21 MSU turnovers but gave the ball up 19 times. The Lions scored 24 points off of turnovers.
- There were two ties and five lead changes in the game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams had a turnover to start the game before the teams settled in. The Lions held an early lead before a 6-0 run from the Mustangs put them behind by four points at the midway point of the first quarter. Wise scored eight points in a row for the Lions as they climbed back in to tie the game at 12 with two minutes to play in the quarter. MSU held a slim 15-14 lead after one.
 
The Lions missed their first four shots of second quarter as MSU built its lead to 19-14. Wise then hit a three pointer as she continued her scoring streak, scoring 11 points in a row for the Lions. After a Ransom three, the Lions trailed by just two points. MSU then went on a run, scoring seven unanswered points to take a 29-20 lead at the midway point of the second quarter.
 
After a Gay layup cut the momentum, MSU hit a three-pointer to take a 10-point lead. The Lions defense then stiffened, holding MSU without points for the final 4:27 of the half. The Lions cut into the lead, with Ransom hitting another three and Gay and Davis both hitting jumpers. The Lions ended the half on a 9-0 run to trail 32-31 at halftime.
 
Wise led the Lions with 11 points at halftime. Gay, Davis and Ransom each had six points. Ransom had four offensive rebounds in the first half.
 
MSU started the second half on a 10-2 run as the Lions missed several shots early in the third quarter to lead 42-33. A&M-Commerce then rallied, scoring 10 unanswered points to give the Lions their first lead since the first quarter. MSU took the lead back, pushing their lead back up to five points with three minutes left in the quarter. Gay scored two late buckets and the Lions trailed 48-47 entering the fourth quarter.
 
Gay and Davis both had jumpers in the early stages of the fourth quarter as the Lions retook the lead. Davis also got to the free throw line as the Lions took a 54-50 lead with 7:30 to play. MSU then scored five in a row to retake the lead at the halfway point of the final quarter. The lead changed hands several times in the next two minutes, with Gay giving the Lions a one-point lead with two minutes to play. However, MSU scored on its next possession and did not give the lead back.
 
With 10 seconds left on the clock and the Lions trailing by four, Wise hit a three to cut the lead to just one point. The Lions fouled and MSU only made one of two free throws. After a timeout, the Lions drew up a play but a good defensive play by the Mustangs caused a Lion turnover and the Lions were forced to foul again. A&M-Commerce was unable to get off a final shot and lost the game by three.