CANYON – A last-second attempt to tie Saturday evening's game just missed for the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team, who ended its season with a 69-67 loss in the NCAA South Central Regional Semifinal to the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps on Saturday.
 
The Lions end the season with a record of 27-5, which are the second-most wins in program history and advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA South Central Regional for the second straight season under coach Jason Burton. The Lady Chaps advance to play West Texas A&M in Monday's Regional Final.
 
Leading for the first 26 minute of the game, the Lions fell behind at the end of the third quarter and had a chance to tie the game with 1.3 seconds left, but the shot from the Lions did not go off before the buzzer.
 
Dyani Robinson (Langham Creek) finished the game with 19 points, one rebound, and a steal. Chania Wright (DeSoto) is the only player in program history to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons and finishes her career fifth all-time in scoring. She had 12 points, three assists, and a rebound.


POSTGAME INTERVIEW
 
Saturday also marked the end of the Lion career for Juliana Louis (Long Beach, Calif.), who did not play against the Lady Chaps due to an injury. She finishes her career fourth all-time in offensive rebounding and 10^th in rebounding, despite only playing three seasons for the Lions.
 
Stepping in for the injured Louis and starting her first NCAA Tournament game, Symmone James (McKinney – Boyd) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. DesiRay Kernal (Newton, Kan.) had a double-double for the second-straight night, totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Laila Lawrence (Lewisville) added seven points and five in 13 minutes, while Mia Deck (Frisco – Lone Star) scored three points. Olivia Russell (Auburn Hills, Mich.) had five rebounds.
 
The Lady Chaps had the big edge from outside the three-point arc. They shot 8 for 14 from the distance, while the Lions shot 1 for 7. Their only made three pointer was from Robinson in the final minute of the game.
 
The Lions largest lead of the game was nine points, and it came in the first quarter, 17-8. The Lady Chaps slowly mounted their comeback and tied the game at 24 with a minute left in the first half. A layup from Wright right before the buzzer gave the Lions a 26-24 lead at halftime.
 
Kernal gave the Lions a six-point lead in the third quarter, but the Lady Chaps stayed closed and took their first lead of the game with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. Ashton Duncan scored team-high 25 points.
 
Starting the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, the Lady Chaps quickly went up by eight in the fourth as the Lions had a stretch of eight minutes where they did not make a field goal.
 
The Lady Chaps never trailed in the fourth quarter, but Kernal trimmed the lead down to 58-56, but Lubbock Christian answered with a three on the other end.
 
A three pointer from Robinson brought the Lions with 67-65, the Lady Chaps missed two of their four free throws down the stretch, but the Lions were not able to get the equalizer through.
 
The Lions won 20 games or more for the fifth time in program history and for the third consecutive full season. The Lion begin a new chapter in NCAA Division I next season as part of the Southland Conference, returning three starters and every bench player from this season.