By Drew Ivery | Sports Reporter

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions will face off against UT Permian Basin as the first set of two games in three days begins as Lone Star Conference play ramps up.

The Lions come into the game on the heels of a win on Thursday against Western New Mexico and look to begin another win streak after dropping the two games prior. A pair of teammates are scoring in double figures per game as sophomore guard Chania Wright leads the team in scoring this season with 14.1 points per game and senior guard Princess Davis scores 12.8 points per game. Davis continues to inch towards milestones as she is ten more made free throws away from 3^rd place in free throws made in Lion history surpassing Stacy Norrell (1989-1993).

In their last meeting, the Lions fell to UTPB by three points. The Lions are 3-2 in the all-time series vs UTPB, 3-1 in the Burton era. The Falcons are currently last in the LSC standings at 0-9 in the conference and 3-14 overall, as the Lions are fourth and are 6-3 in the LSC and 11-6 overall.

Lion Women’s Basketball (11-6, 6-3 LSC):

Coach Burton and company head into today’s game in the top half of the LSC standings just past mid-way through the season, but as the standings indicate and as the history of the LSC shows, it’s a tight race for seeding until the very end. After a 3-4 start to the season, the Lions are beginning to hit their stride as they have won eight out of their last ten games (7 in a row). Lions also widening the scoring gap between themselves and opponents to double digits as they are now scoring 76.1 points per contest and allowing just 65.4 per game from opponents. A&M-Commerce dominating the glass this season as they are +10.0 against their opponents in rebounding differential, which ranks 12^th in Division ll.  Burton has three players with six or more rebounds per game including Katerina Zhibareva, Alexis Bryant, and leading rebounder Agang Tac (7.2). Commerce looks to be doing most of their damage each game in the final quarter as they’re averaging 21.5 per game in the quarter.

UT Permian Basin (3-14, 0-9 LSC):

Coach Rae Booth and crew having a tough time this season as it looks as if a lot of things are not going their way. Winless in the LSC does not spell good news for any possible LSC Tournament appearance chances. However, they are only three games out of the 8^th and final tournament spot. The Falcons have had trouble putting the ball in the hoop this year as they are scoring just 56.8 points per game and 35 percent shooting from the field as a team. UTPB has yet to win in 2019 and are riding a seven game losing streak.

Players to Watch:

#12 Princess Davis (TAMUC)- Davis currently ranks 1^st in games started, 2^nd all time in assists, 2^nd in games played, 3^rd in minutes played, 4^th in free throws made, 5^th in scoring, and 8^th in steals in Lion women’s basketball history. She is currently second on the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game and team leader in assists at 4.6 per game.

Davis is a key player and leader of this Lion team. Her veteran experience and energy help fuel her team each game and she must be respected as a threat in all aspects on the court. She is just 72 points away from moving up to 4^th all-time in scoring.

#21 Khali Pippins-Tyron (UTPB)- Pippins-Tyron, a senior forward transfer from Lamar University currently leads the Falcons in scoring at 11.7 points per game and is second in rebounding at 4.3 rebounds per game. Pippins-Tyron had a tough shooting night in her last game as she was held to just 4-for-13 from the field for just 10 points with three rebounds and four assists.

Matchup: Game start is set for 2 p.m. in the Commerce Field House and can be heard on 88.9FM or www.ketr.org, the Lion Sports Network.