DURANT, Okla. – Just under half of the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team's points came off the bench in the Lions 71-44 win over the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm at the Bloomer Sullivan Arena on Tuesday night.
 
The Lions, who moved up to No. 4 and No. 7 in the D2SIDA and WBCA polls, respectively, earlier in the day, are 4-0 on the season. The Savage Storm fall to 1-4 on the year.
 
Asiyha Smith (Conway, Ark.) had 12 points and two rebounds off the bench, Mia Deck (Frisco – Lone Star) scored 10 points, two steals, a block, and three rebounds.
 
The Lions did not trail in the game, leading from the first bucket. Chania Wright (DeSoto) hit a jumper for the first points of the night for either team. The largest lead for the Lions was five points in the first quarter on a three pointer by Smith.
 
Ravae Payne (Pearland) and Dyani Robinson (Langham Creek) scored the first five points of the second quarter to give the Lions a 16-6 lead. The Savage Storm went on a 10-0 run to tie the game, but were tamed by a layup by Dorian Norris (Lake Dallas). A&M-Commerce continued to stay in the front and ended the half leading 28-23.
 
Smith had five points in the third quarter as the Lions continued to lead and extended it to 11 points at the end of third quarter on a layup by DesiRay Kernal (Newton, Kan.) with 30 seconds to go. Kernal led the team with 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
A&M-Commerce ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run and extended it to 9-0 on a layup by Olivia Russell (Auburn Hills, Mich.) and a free throw by Kernal. The Lions' bench posted 34 points in this one.
 
As a team, the Lions forced 20 turnovers and capitalized with 18 points off turnovers. The Lions also outscored the Savage Storm in fast break points, 16-0.
 
Payne shot 4 for 4 from the free throw line for eight points and five rebounds. Russell had five rebounds as well. Robinson also had 10 points, she had four assists and three rebounds.
 
The largest lead of the game for the Lion was 27 points, which came with a second left in the game on a layup by Ashley Shipley (Tucumcari, N.M.).
 
The Lions shot below 40 percent in the first three quarters, but shot 8 for 14 in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Savage Storm 26-10 in the quarter.
 
Every Lion that was active on Tuesday night, appeared in the game. Tuesday night's game was the 200^th game coached by Jason Burton.



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The Lions make their much-anticipated season debut at the Field House against Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday at 5 p.m., they face Northeastern State on Sunday at 3 p.m. as part of Lion Hoopsgiving presented by Best Western Plus.
 
Season tickets and individual tickets are on sale at LionAthletics.com/Tickets. Fan that bring a can of non-perishable goods to donate to the Lion Food Pantry, will receive a special $5 ticket to this weekend's Lion Hoopsgiving games presented by Best Western Plus.