COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team defeated Western New Mexico 73-60 at home Thursday evening. Both teams started out cold but the Lions caught fire in the second half to get the win. The game was part of Youth Sports Night at the Field House.
 
The win brings the Lions to 11-6 on the season and 6-3 in the Lone Star Conference. The Mustangs fall to 6-10 and 2-7 in conference play.
 
The Lions remain at home to host UT Permian Basin on Saturday, as part of Alumni Day. The game will be played at 2 p.m. at the Field House, followed by the Lion men's basketball team against the Falcons. Tickets for the doubleheader are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756 or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Princess Davis (Shreveport, La.) led the way for the Lions with 18 points and six assists. Davis started her 102nd career game, becoming the program's all-time leader in games started.
- Ekaterina Zhibareva (Liske, Russia) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. It was her first double-double of the season.
- Chania Wright (Desoto) also added in 10 points and two assists.
- The Lions finished the game shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc. 

HEAD COACH JASON BURTON AFTER THE GAME
 - Thoughts on the game: "Coming off of back-to-back losses, we definitely had to come out and get a win today. The lid was still on the bucket in the first half but it finally came off in the second half. It felt good to see the ball go in and get a win."
- On the play of Ekaterina Zhibareva: "It was good for her to see the ball go in the basket. She has been a little discouraged, not scoring the ball well in the paint. She needed a game like this to get the confidence back. She did a great job rebounding too. It was good to see her have another good game. When we have three of our bigs clicking, we are a tough team. It was good for Kate to get this confidence today.
- On Princess Davis' milestone achievement: "It is a huge milestone. To have started more games than anyone else in our uniform, that means as a freshman, you are coming in ready to play. She has a lot of miles on those legs. For her to still be playing at the high level she is playing at, it is truly something special."
- Looking ahead to UT Permian Basin: "Watching them on film, they play a different style of basketball. They are long and athletic. They are prime for a win. They are fighting to get into the conference tournament and are looking for their first conference win. They are going to be playing hard trying to get one. We are going to need to play better than we did today to be able to win."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams struggled from the field in the first half as each team shot only 34 percent. Western New Mexico only shot 11 percent from three, while A&M-Commerce shot 20 percent from behind the arc.

Both teams went on a pair of runs in the first half. The Lions went on a 12-0 run to extend their lead to 22-10, but WNMU answered with a 10-0 run of their own to make it 22-20 with 4:30 left in the second quarter. The Lions closed the half strong and took a 30-24 lead going into halftime.

Davis led the Lions in scoring with seven first half points and recorded two assists. The Lions pounded the Mustangs in the paint with 16 points.

Both teams came firing out the gates in the third quarter, as neither team had an answer defensively. The Lions scored 24 in the quarter, while the Mustangs scored 20. Davis led the Lions with seven points in the third and Zhibareva added six points.

The Lions pulled away from the Mustangs in the final period, scoring very efficiently. The Mustangs hung around in the contest offensively, but trading baskets did not benefit the Mustangs as the Lions walked away with the win.