Women's basketball (4-5 overall; 0-1 in LSC) will make its long-awaited return to the Field House on Monday, as the Lions look to snap their three-game losing streak and climb back up to .500 on the season when Arlington Baptist College (6-3) comes to town.
Coach Jason Burton's squad didn't start conference-play the way they wanted to, dropping 77-55 to the MSU Mustangs in the Lions' first game of 2015. A&M-Commerce will now have a chance at a non-conference opponent to work out the kinks before resuming conference-play on Thursday in Kingsville. Radio coverage of Monday's contest will be presented on both 88.9 KETR and 107.1 Thunder Country.
The Arlington Baptist Patriots are an unfamiliar foe for the Lions for a variety of reasons. Not only have the two teams never played one another in women's basketball, but Arlington Baptist isn't even an NCAA team. An affiliate of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), the Patriots come off a 2013-14 campaign that saw them almost take it all, as they advanced to the NCCAA National Championship game.
At this point in the season, Arlington Baptist is no stranger to the Lone Star Conference. In November, they played an exhibition against Tarleton State (6-3 overall, 0-1 in LSC) that they dropped 86-60. Then in their last game, which occurred in mid-December just before winter break, the Patriots faced off against Angelo State (5-5), dropping 83-49. In that game, junior forward Jade Johnson played all 40 minutes, scoring nearly half her team's points with 24 while chipping in eight rebounds. She's the clear focal point of the Patriot game-plan, and will be an important player for the Lions to key on come Monday.
For the Lions to get off their three-game skid, they'll need senior forward La'Tisha Hearne to bounce back from a tough outing against MSU. Despite logging an impressive three steals, Hearne had a quiet night with only five points and five boards. The two-time LSC Player of the Week has racked up three double-doubles on the year, and A&M-Commerce will look for her to put a tough game behind her and perform like she's capable of.
Hearne and the entire Lions front court will need to take notice of the Patriots' six foot five center Rosalyn Thorpe, who logged 37 minutes in her last game against Angelo State. To win the battle inside, Hearne and players like Abigail Leaupepe-Tele, Kiana Evans and Angelle Simon will have to bring their A-game if they hope to overcome Torpe's sheer size.
Tipoff is on Monday, January 5 at 5:30 p.m. Fans wishing to attend the double-header can purchase tickets for $8 at the general admission rate. Children between 4 and 12 can get tickets for $5. For kids three and under, as well as students with a current ID, admission is free of charge.