By Jordan Ader | Staff Reporter

Texas A&M-Commerce women’s basketball suffered a tough 67-42 loss to the undefeated No. 10 Lubbock Christian University Chaps at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock Nov. 12.

The Lions were forced to deal with Lubbock Christian’s stifling defense, which held opponents to 33 percent shooting throughout last year. However, despite only shooting 22 percent from the field, the Lions were able to convert on 38 percent of their three-pointers.

Guard Chania Wright led the Lions in scoring with 11 points on 4-11 shooting and was 3-7 from three-point territory. Guard Mykiel Burleson and forward Ekaterina Zhibareva led A&M-Commerce with six rebounds each. Zhibareva and Lion guard Princess Davis each had two assists to lead the team.

Lubbock Christian opened the scoring with a fast break shot from behind the arc and quickly followed with a jumper from the top of the lane. Princess Davis answered with a three of her own and forward Alexis Bryant made a free throw to put A&M-Commerce down one, the smallest deficit they’d see for the rest of the night. From that point on, the Chaps converted eight of their ten shots to end the quarter ahead 20-7.

The Lions had a better showing in the second quarter as they converted on 38 percent of their shots and held Lubbock Christian to 45 percent from the field. A mid-quarter three-pointer from Lion forward Jocelyn Pierce brought A&M-Commerce within single-digits, but the Chaps were still able to come out of the quarter ahead as they increased their lead by one and went into halftime up 32-18.

After a mostly uneventful opening to the third quarter, A&M-Commerce was faced with a barrage from Lubbock Christian as the Chaps scored eight unanswered points mid-quarter to extend their lead further. The Lions answered with a shooting run of their own highlighted by a pair of Chania Wright three-pointers, but Lubbock Christian was able to tread water and end the quarter with a 49-29 advantage.

The Lions played stellar defense in the final frame as they held Lubbock Christian to 33 percent shooting but couldn’t get their own shots going to mount a comeback. Both teams traded blows early as A&M-Commerce slowly began to chip away at the deficit, but Lubbock Christian shut the Lions down late and scored the final 11 points unanswered to win the game 67-42.

The Lions drop to 1-2 on the season and will be looking to bounce back in their home opener against unbeaten Saint Edward’s University Nov. 16 at the Field House. A&M-Commerce hasn’t lost to Saint Edward’s since November of 2013 and earned a 71-64 road win last year when they faced off in Austin.