SILVER CITY, N.M. – The No. 4 Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team defeated Western New Mexico 76-53 on Thursday evening. The Lions went off in the second half, pulling away for the win.
 
The win brings the Lions to 18-0 on the year and 12-0 in the Lone Star Conference. The Mustangs fall to 6-10 on the season and 3-9 in conference play.
 
The Lions return to the court on Saturday as they travel to Odessa to face UT Permian Basin at 2 p.m.
 
HEAD COACH JASON BURTON AFTER THE GAME
- On the second half push: "We needed that push. It was too close at halftime. We were not our normal selves in the first half. We were getting outplayed, effort wise. We sort of settled for shots in the first half, but we attacked the paint in the second half. Our mentality changed at halftime. I give our girls credit for bouncing back."
- On the play of Kernal: "She has really been playing well lately. She has been hovering around that double-double lately. Today she was phenomenal on the offensive end, and created second-chance shots for us. She played through contact as well. I thought the play of our team elevated when she was on the floor, and she was locked in starting today."
- On tying Denny Downing's win total: "To be in the same conversation with Denny Downing is incredible. He is a Hall of Fame coach here. He had a Division II player drafted into the WNBA. That shows you the kind of coach he was and the type of program he had in his time at A&M-Commerce."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mykiel Burleson (Pflugerville) led the way with 16 points, while also leading the team with four steals. Burleson made her first start of the season in the game.
- Dyani Robinson (Cypress – Langham Creek) added 13 points and three steals, while DesiRay Kernal (Newton, Kan.) also had 13 points and led the team with seven rebounds.
- Chania Wright (DeSoto) had 12 points while Alexis Bryant (Pflugerville) had 10 points and five rebounds.
- The Lions outshot the Mustangs 78 to 45, taking 33 more shots in the game.
- The Lions caused 32 turnovers in the game, including 19 steals, while turning the ball over just seven times.
 - Head Coach Jason Burton moved into a tie for second place all-time with his 106th career victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams traded leads early in the game as each team looked to establish itself. After WNMU held an 8-6 lead, the Lions went on a 6-0 run to take the lead, and pushed its lead to as many as six in the quarter. A&M-Commerce led 16-13 heading into the second quarter.
 
The Lions pushed their lead to seven points early in the second quarter before WNMU battled back, cutting the Lion lead to just two points. A&M-Commerce responded to bring its lead to 26-19 at the midway mark. The Mustangs made a late push as the Lions went into halftime with a 30-26 advantage.
 
The Lion offense exploded in the third quarter, as A&M-Commerce could seemingly do no wrong. The Lions outscored WNMU 31-13 in the quarter. The Lions started the quarter on a 6-0 run to take their first double-figure lead of the game. Another 7-0 run pushed the Lion lead to 14 points at the four minute mark. Burleson went on her own 5-0 run as the Lions pushed their lead to above 20 points, leading 61-39 headed into the final period.
 
The Lions brought their lead to as many as 25 in the opening part of the fourth quarter. The Lion reserves kept the pressure late in the game, as the Lions left with the 23-point win.