By Jordan Ader | Sports Reporter

Texas A&M University-Commerce senior guard Princess Davis broke another program record in the Lions’ 73-61 home win over rival Midwestern State University-Texas on Feb. 9.

Davis became the program’s all-time leader in minutes played as she passed Katedria Mosley, who played for the Lions from 2004-2008 and was a crucial piece of their conference championship-winning 2006-07 squad. Davis scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, and earned four assists in the Lions’ triumph over Midwestern State.

The Lions’ formidable frontcourt duo, comprised of Alexis Bryant and Ekaterina Zhibareva, combined for 32 points, leading the team with 16 points each. Bryant also hauled in 10 rebounds to secure a double-double.

Guards Alexus Jones and Chania Wright also scored in double-figures, tallying 14 and 10 points, respectively. Wright also added six rebounds and three assists, while Jones added two assists and one rebound.

Midwestern State scored the first five points of the game, but the Lions quickly jumped into action and began clawing back. Halfway through the first quarter, the Lions took their first lead of the game from a layup by Davis and fought to carry that lead to a 20-19 advantage at quarter’s end.

A&M-Commerce carried that effort into the second quarter as they went on a 9-3 run in the first three minutes, but the Mustangs battled back and tied the game with 46 seconds to go. They then took a 36-34 lead with a pair of free throws for the 11^th and final lead change of the first half.

The Lions started the second half with six unanswered points to snatch their lead back but defending it would be no easy task. Midwestern State twice brought the lead within a single basket, but the Lions would not falter as they held strong to enter the final frame ahead 57-49.

After two minutes without a point scored by either side, Chania Wright finally broke the stalemate with a pair of free throws. The Lions slowly built their lead over the remainder of the game to solidify their 73-61 victory.

With their latest victory, A&M-Commerce moved to 15-7 overall and 10-4 in Lone Star Conference play. The Lions are one game away from catching West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico, who are tied for second.

The Lions will embark on another two-game weekend road trip, traveling to Tarleton State University Feb. 12 and Texas Woman’s University Feb. 14. The Lions stand only one game ahead of fifth-place Tarleton State and are four games above sixth-place Texas Woman’s.

The last time A&M-Commerce faced off against Tarleton State was Jan. 8 at The Field House, where the Lions defended their court with an 89-80 win. Down 23 points early in the fourth quarter, Tarleton State made a valiant comeback effort, but the Lions did not waiver and finished the game strong.

In their last matchup against Texas Woman’s, the Lions never trailed as they coasted to a 78-63 win at home. The win made Lion head coach Jason Burton the program leader in all-time Lone Star Conference wins.