COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team will host two Lone Star Conference games this week. The Lions host Western New Mexico on Thursday and UT Permian Basin on Saturday.
 
UT Permian Basin
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (17-9, 12-6 LSC) at UT Permian Basin (4-22, 1-17 LSC)
WHERE: UTPB Gymnasium in Odessa, Texas
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5:15p.m.
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: https://utpbfalcons.com/watch/
LIVE AUDIO: ketr.org
 
Western New Mexico
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce at Western New Mexico (10-15, 6-12 LSC)
WHERE: Drag's Court in Silver City, New Mexico
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 2 at 5 p.m. CST
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
LIVE VIDEO: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/wnmu/
LIVE AUDIO: ketr.org
 
The Lions are coming off of a split week, defeating Eastern New Mexico before falling to West Texas A&M. Despite the home loss, head coach Jason Burton was proud of the way his team competed and felt they were in position to win.
 
"I thought we really played well these last two games," he said. "We fell short against WT but I thought we really put ourselves in position to win that game. We got outrebounded and they capitalized with second chance points. That's what the game boiled down to. I thought defensively we did 90 percent of what we were supposed to do. We forced tough shots and had some good possessions. But they had some players make some great plays offensively."
 
On Thursday, Burton loved the way his team was able to play against ENMU, adjusting its preferred style of play and locking in defensively.
 
"We played a tremendous defensive game against Eastern," he said. "We forced them into some tough shots. We kept that game low scoring. We are normally getting out and pushing the ball. But I thought how we played in that game really showed we can play in the playoffs. If we can take that and continue to grow, I think our team is playing at a high level right now."
 
The Lions finished their home season with an 11-3 record at the Field House. Burton was quick to credit the Lion faithful for their support throughout the home season. He is looking forward to the community support as the team heads to the LSC Tournament in Frisco next week.
 
"I don't think we play as well as we did if it weren't for the support we got from the community, the students and the band," he said. "If you look at our record at home, we lost to three regionally ranked teams at home. But we defended the Field House. It was a great year. It is a huge testament to this community. We appreciate the fan support.
 
"But it's not over yet. We need them to get on the bus or in their car and go down to Frisco to support us at the conference tournament. That needs to be a home environment for us as well. If we can get fan support down there, we like our chances. We are playing as well as anybody in the conference right now. At a neutral site, we feel really good."
 
The Lions finish the regular season this week as they face UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico on the road. Despite both teams being in the lower tier of the LSC standings, Burton knows both games will be a challenge and looks for his team to play at its best during its final two games before the LSC Tournament.
 
"We have two games this week that we can't overlook," he said. "We are in good position to make the regional tournament. These are two games we have to win on the road and both those teams are very competitive and are a lot better at home. Western New Mexico is fighting to get into the conference tournament. And Permian Basin will be trying to get wins at home before the season ends. We have to come ready to play well on the road. We have to make sure we finish strong on the road."