HOUSTON – In its first season in the Southland Conference, the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team sits in sole possession of first place after a 65-62 win at Houston Christian on Thursday evening inside Sharp Gym.
 
The Lions improved to 4-0 in Southland Conference play, taking a one-game lead in the standings and are 6-10 overall. The Huskies, who won the Southland Conference regular season title last season, are now 7-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Both teams exchanged points early, but the Lions went on a 5-0 run to go up 11-7 and had a 7-0 run in the first quarter to lead by as much as seven through the first 10 minutes of the game. DesiRay Kernal (Newton, Kan.) scored eight in the first quarter.
 
The Huskies went on a scoring run of their own in the second quarter to pull to 24-23 with 3:24 left, but the Lions scored the next six to go up back by seven. HCU scored six of the final nine points of the game, including a three-pointer with 19 seconds left in the first half to cut it to 33-29 at the half.
 
For the Lions, Kernal made two three-pointers on her way to her 12 points and five rebounds in the first half. Laila Lawrence (Lewisville) scored seven in the first half, while Jordyn Beaty (Woodville) added five in the first half.
 
N'Denasija Collins scored eight for the Huskies in the first half and Jo Oly made both her three-point attempts for six points. The Huskies scored the first six points of the second half to lead 35-33, their first since 7-6 in the first quarter.
 
The Huskies outscored the Lions, 25-20, in the third quarter to enter the fourth quarter with a one-point lead. Neither team made a field goal through the first six minutes of the first quarter, the Huskies jumped out to a 59-55 lead, but the Lions tied the game at 61 on a three-pointer by Olivia Russell (Auburn Hills, Mich.).
 
Lawrence hit two free throws with 28 seconds left to give the Lions their first lead in the fourth quarter, 63-61. On the other end, the Huskies made just one of their two free throws and the Lions hit both to go up 65-62. HCU's last-ditch effort to tie the game did not touch the rim.
 
The Lions had just six field goal attempts in the fourth quarter and made two of those attempts, while shooting 7 for 10 at the free throw line. HCU on the other end shot 2 for 13 from the field and 4 for 6 at the line.
 
In the game, the Lions made 23 of their 28 free throw attempts and narrowly outshot the Huskies, 38.8 percent to 38.5 percent.
 
Kernal finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Lawrence had 16 points, four rebounds, and an assist. Dyani Robinson (Langham Creek) scored 11 as well as three rebounds and two assists. Russell totaled eight points and six assists.
 
Collins scored 19 points for the Huskies.


POST GAME INTERVIEW
 
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The Lions are back home on Saturday against Lamar at 2 p.m. for Alumni Day. After the game, members of the Lion women's basketball program will sign autographs on the 2022-23 schedule poster.