COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team will conclude their three-game home stand with an early-week matchup against the Tarleton State TexAnns.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (8-5, 5-1 LSC) vs. Tarleton State (9-5, 3-3 LSC)
WHERE: The Field House in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
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LIVE VIDEO: lionathletics.com/live
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The Lions are coming off of two conference wins over the last week. The team defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville on Thursday and battled and won a hard-fought game against Angelo State on Saturday. Head coach Jason Burton was proud of the way his team executed their game plans in both games.
 
"I thought we really played team basketball," he said. "Angelo is really good and really talented. It took everybody on the floor to beat them. I thought that was the best team defensive game we have played. We did a good job of trying to protect the paint. Then I thought we shared the ball very well. That was probably the most balanced scoring game that we have had. We had four girls in double figures and all of them above 15 points. I feel like every game we are doing a good job of growing and learning from our previous games and getting better."
 
The Lions were locked into a battle against ASU for much of the game. It was not until the last five minutes of the contest that the Lions were able to put some space on the scoreboard against the talented Rambelles.
 
"I thought we remained disciplined the whole game," Burton said. "I thought our execution was good the whole game, our shots just weren't falling. But eventually, the shots were going to fall. I'm proud of how we stuck with it and continued to do what we need to do. We didn't get discouraged by the score. We just kept executing. And eventually down the stretch, that execution led to the ball going into the bucket. At the end of the game, we did a good job possession by possession of just locking in and making sure we executed at a high level."
 
The wins brought the Lions to 5-1 in the conference, which puts them in second place. The Lions are one game behind the conference leader and one spot above third place. After that, six teams are in a tie for fourth place in the LSC standings.
 
"If we lose either of those games, we are right in the mix with everybody else," Burton said. "Winning those games, we kind of have that bit of separation. We are two games up on a lot of people. But it doesn't get any easier. You look at this week and we have Tarleton and TWU at 3-3. That can very easily swing. We have to continue to take care of business one game at a time."
 
The Lions start with Tarleton State on Tuesday. The TexAnns are currently on a five-game winning streak. The team won both Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week this past week and Burton knows it will be a battle. He has faced TSU eight times in his previous three seasons as coach.
 
"They are playing with a lot of confidence in themselves," Burton said of TSU. "They got both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week this week. With Mackenzie Hailey being named Preseason Player of the Year, that is a tough task. You look at their conference record and they are 3-3 in conference but they are 9-5 on the year. They have been playing good basketball this year. Their coach does an excellent job over there.
 
"They are the team that knocked us out of the tournament last year. I think if we beat them in the conference tournament, we are going to the NCAA Tournament and playing deeper into March. That is something that we haven't forgotten. This game is always a tough battle but I think our girls are prepared for it and it is a big game for both teams. I look forward to tomorrow night."
 
The game has special significance for Burton. It will be his 100th game as head coach.
 
"To have 100 games here and to look back, I've been here eight years," he said. "I had four years on the men's side and now four here. It means a lot to have been here this long and to have had the success we are having right now. There is no place I'd rather be. I like what we are doing here. I like how bought in our team is and how the culture has grown. I'm looking forward to hopefully another 100 games. But right now, that 100th game we have tomorrow night is a big one."