COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team defeated Eastern New Mexico 62-55 on Thursday night. After a close first half, the Lions were able to create some distance late to get the win.
 
The win brings the Lions to 17-8 on the season and 12-5 in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds fall to 18-7 and 13-4 in conference play. The teams split the season series, with each team winning on its home floor.
 
The Lions return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. against No. 17 West Texas A&M in their final home game of the season. The game will be part of Senior Day as well as SAAC Make-A-Swish Day. The Lion basketball seniors will be honored immediately following the women's game and a special Make-A-Wish Foundation presentation will take place at halftime of the men's game. 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 Lions with 20 points and added four rebounds and four assists. She moved into third place all-time in career scoring.
- Ekaterina Zhibareva (Liske, Russia) added 11 points and three rebounds. Chania Wright (DeSoto) also scored in double figures with 10 points.
- Alexis Bryant (Pflugerville) and Agang Tac (Garland - Sachse) co-led the team with nine rebounds apiece.
 
HEAD COACH JASON BURTON AFTER THE GAME
- On the play of his two senior leaders: "I'm really proud of our seniors and how they stepped up tonight. They led the charge for us today, especially Princess Davis. She took over."
- On the team's defensive effort: "As a team defensively, we guarded. We played one of our best defensive games of the year tonight. The closer we get to the conference tournament, the less fouls are going to be called. Players have to make plays. You have to play defense and we did a good job of that today."
On the team's energy: "Our team was having fun and was celebrating each other's success. Our bench energy was tremendous and that's what led us to a victory today."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions got off to a good start, scoring the first two buckets of the game. The Lions were active on the offensive glass early in the game. Both teams struggled from the field early. Midway through the quarter, the Lions held a 5-4 lead. It was back and forth the rest of the quarter as the lead changed hands twice. The Lions took a 13-12 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Lions pulled ahead by five points after getting some early buckets in the paint. The Greyhounds then went on a 9-0 run as the Lion offense went cold. With four minutes left, ENMU held a 23-19 lead. The Lions ended the quarter on a 7-2 run. Davis hit a late three to send the Lions into halftime with a 26-25 lead.
 
Davis led all scorers with 11 points in the first half. Zhibareva added six points for the Lions. Both teams shot 33 percent in the first half. Stats were even across the board as neither team had a significant advantage in any area in the first half.
 
It was back and forth again to start the third quarter. The lead changed hands twice and there were also two lead changes. The Lions then went on an 9-2 run to take a seven-point lead. After ENMU made a three, the Lions went running again, going on an 8-0 run to take a 13-point lead with three minutes left. Mykiel Burleson (Pflugerville) hit two threes in the rally. Heading into the fourth, the Lions led 48-38.

The Lions found range to begin the fourth, hitting multiple threes. The Lions pushed their lead to 14 points midway through the quarter. ENMU went on a 6-0 run to cut the Lion lead to eight points with two minutes. The Lions made their free throws down the stretch to hold onto the win.