NATCHITOCHES, La. – A big third quarter by the Northwestern State Lady Demons in which the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team was outscored by 13, helped the Lady Demons win 71-66 on Saturday at Prather Coliseum.
 
The Lions led by 11 in the second quarter, but were outscored 25-13 in the third quarter as the Lady Demons split the week with the Lions. Both teams defended home court in the home-and-home series. A&M-Commerce drops to 10-14 overall and 8-4 in Southland Play, falling 1.5 games out of first place, while the Lady Demons are 10-13 overall and 6-7 in conference.
 
The Lady Demons held the Lions to just two points in the first four minutes of the game and built an 8-2 lead. A&M-Commerce served back a 10-0 run to take the lead over a span of four minutes and led for the rest of the first half.
 
After missing its first five field goals to start the game, the Lions made 6 for their next eight to close out the first quarter.
 
Jordyn Beaty (Woodville) started the game shooting a perfect 5 for 5 from the field and scored the first 10 of the 20 points for the Lions. She had 11 in the first half, adding a free throw.
 
Northwestern State's Candice Parramore, who is the reigning Southland Player of the Week, was held to 12 points in Thursday's game, but she scored 13 just in the first half on Saturday.
 
The Lions led by as much as 11 in the second quarter, but the Lady Demons fought back and took the lead in the third quarter, at 40-38, their first since 8-6, in the first quarter. DesiRay Kernal (Newton, Kan.) scored seven of the Lions' first 11 in the third quarter.
 
Northwestern State did not have a made three pointer in the first quarter, but made five in the third quarter on its way to outscoring A&M-Commerce, 25-13, in the quarter to lead 55-44, which was its largest lead of the game with a three right before the end of the quarter.
 
Parramore knocked down three shots from the distance and scored 11 in the third quarter. She played all 40 minutes in the game. The Lions trailed for the majority of the second half, but made it a one-possession game twice in the final minute and had a chance to tie the game, trailing 69-66, but a turnover gave the ball back to the Lady Demons, who knocked down both free throws.
 
The Lions shot 11 for 23 at the line for a free throw percentage of 47.8 in the game, which is the first time the Lions have shot below 50 percent at the line since November 25, 2018, against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
 
Olivia Russell (Auburn Hills, Mich.) led the way for the Lions with 18 points on 7 for 12 shooting from the field and 2 for 4 from the distance, she also led the team with nine rebounds. Beaty and Kernal scored 11 each, while battling foul trouble. Mia Deck (Frisco – Lone Star) and Laila Lawrence (Lewisville) scored 10 each. Russell and Dorian Norris (Lake Dallas) recorded three steals each.
 
Parramore scored 26 for the Lady Demons and 13 came at the line, converting 13 of her 15 opportunities at the line. No other Northwestern State player scored in double digits. Jasmin Dixon added nine rebounds.
 
The Lions shot 18 for 26 in the second half and outscored the Lady Demons, 22-16, in the fourth quarter. Northwestern State shot 36.2 percent in the game and forced 21 turnovers. The Lady Demons had the 38-36 edge in rebounding and scored 25 points off turnovers.

POST GAME INTERVIEW

UP NEXT
The Lions are at home for two straight games, hosting New Orleans on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Southeastern on Saturday at 2 p.m.