By Jordan Ader | Sports Reporter

The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball team earned a hard-fought 76-67 victory on the road against Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma Nov. 25.

The Lions turned in another great shooting performance as they shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and nearly 30 percent from beyond the arc. They also held Southeastern Oklahoma to just under 35 percent shooting overall and 28 percent from deep.

Guard Chania Wright led the Lions in scoring with 13 points and forward Alexis Bryant was a close second with 12 points while sharing the team-high in rebounds (10) with fellow Lion forward Ekaterina Zhibareva. Lion Guard Princess Davis moved the ball well to earn nine assists.

Thirty seconds into the first quarter, Wright opened the scoring with a three-pointer, but Southeastern Oklahoma answered with a layup, a three of their own, and two free throws to gain a four-point advantage. Both teams would battle it out for the rest of the quarter, but Southeastern slowly doubled their lead and went into the second quarter ahead 23-15.

The Lions scored 24 points in the second quarter by taking efficient shots in the paint and capitalizing on open looks from deep. A&M-Commerce started the quarter with a bang as they scored four unanswered baskets to take a 24-23 lead, but Southeastern Oklahoma fought back late in the quarter with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to end the quarter with a 43-39 lead.

A&M-Commerce started the third quarter with another basket from deep, but twice allowed Southeastern Oklahoma to extend their lead to seven points. However, in the last three minutes the Lions fought tooth-and-nail to bring the game within two points and enter the fourth quarter down 56-58.

The Lions dominated the fourth quarter from the start, opening the quarter with nine unanswered points and outscoring Southeastern Oklahoma 20-9 throughout the frame. A&M-Commerce caught fire as they shot 50 percent from the field, highlighted by three scores from beyond the arc. After taking an early one-point lead off a three from Wright, the Lions would not surrender it again as they pushed their advantage to 12 points late in the fourth and secured the 76-67 victory.

The difference-maker for the game was A&M-Commerce’s physicality. The Lions outscored Southeastern Oklahoma 44-26 in the paint and 18-7 on second-chance points. The Lions bench also had a great showing, as 35 of their points came off the bench versus Southeastern Oklahoma’s six bench points.

A&M-Commerce moves to 3-3 for the season with the win over Southeastern Oklahoma and will return home to open Lone Star Conference play against Angelo State University on Nov. 29^th at the Field House. The Lions split the season series against Angelo State last year, earning a 78-74 victory at home but losing 66-55 on the road.