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Lion ladies face key conference home date

Sophomore guard Natalie Hessong and the Lions host the Eastern New Mexico Zias this evening at The Field House.
lionathletics.com

The Lion women (8-6, 2-2 LSC) are back in action this Wednesday night against visiting LSC-rivals Eastern New Mexico (6-8, 2-2 LSC).

The Lions have found success against the Zias in recent years, holding an 8-3 all-time record in the series since 2006. Last season, A&M-Commerce came out on top with an 84-65 victory at the Field House. ZenobiaWinbush came off the bench to score a career-high 19 points on five three pointers. The Zias jumped out ahead early, leading the Lions by as much as 12 points in the first half, but the Lions responded with an impressive 20-2 run, tying the game at 36 at the half. The Zias would threaten by coming within two points when a Jaylyn Cooper layup cut the lead to 43-41, but the Lions responded by scoring eight in a row, capped by a Winbush three. ENMU forward Tori Tucker paced the Zias with 13-13 double-double, adding three steals, while Jordyn Cooper scored 11 and snagged six boards. Fans can watch the Lions renew their rivalry at lionathletics.com or tune in live to 88.9 KETR or 107.1 Thunder Country.

The 2014-15 Lions are performing well under first-year head coach Jason Burton, with this season’s eight wins already surpassing last season’s 7-20 mark. A&M-Commerce is statistically one of the best teams in the conference, sitting at first in the LSC in rebounding, second in opponent free throw percentage, third in defensive field goal percentage (.391), and fourth in defensive three point percentage (.331).

Several Lions are also performing well individually. Freshman guard Princess Davis is averaging a conference-best 4.4 assists per game, ranks second in the conference in minutes (32.3 MPG), and is one of two Lions to reach the 20-point plateau twice this year (at Henderson State, Arlington Baptist). Senior forward La’TishaHearne has also cracked 20 points twice this season, has earned both Offensive and Defensive LSC player of the Week honors, and has recorded three double-doubles so far this season.

The Lions enter Wednesday’s contest looking to continue their recent success at home, winning four out their last five contests at the Field House, including their most recent game last Saturday against the McMurryWarhawks. Juniors Gabby Scott and Kiana Evans paced A&M-Commerce, each setting season-highs in scoring with 17 and 16 respectively. Evans also tied her season-high in rebounds with nine. Scott took off in the second half, scoring eight of the Lions’ first ten points in a 2:18 window. Evans was efficient, scoring her 16 points on 5 of 7 shooting and 6 of 7 at the line. Davis got in on the action as well, filling up the stat sheets with an impressive seven points, six rebounds and eight assists, tying a career-high.

The Zias come to Commerce riding a two-game win-streak after defeating A&M-Kingsville in Portales, New Mexico and escaping San Angelo with a 65-56 victory over Angelo State after rallying from a 22-point deficit. Senior forward Tori Tucker is the leading scorer for Eastern New Mexico with 12.8 PPG, and is a force defensively averaging 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Junior guard Jordyn Cooper is the most efficient three-point shooter for the Zias since the 2010-11 season with a .364 shooting percentage and 110 three-point buckets. Jasmine Johnson is one of the best rebounders in the LSC, averaging 6.9 a game.

Tipoff is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Field House. Tickets for the double-header cost $8 for general admission. Children between 4 and 12 years old will be charged $5 for entrance. Admission is free of charge for kids ages three and below, as well as current students with a valid ID. 

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.