Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

Photo Gallery by Shelly Cervantes, A&M-Commerce Sports Information Student Photographer

A 19-2 run to start the second half led host Texas A&M University-Commerce to a 74-68 win over Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon.

Three Lions (16-6, 5-2 LSC North) scored in double figures, including a game-high 25 from junior Britney Jordan. She was joined in double digits by junior Tarika Campbell, who scored a career-high 17 and senior Katedria Mosley added her third double double of the season with 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. It was fitting that all three along with senior Dominee Evans were also part of the 2006-07 team that saw its championship banners unveiled during halftime of the men's game.

Central Oklahoma - who had won nine of its last 11 including an 84-83 decision earlier in the season - falls to 16-6 and 4-3 in the Lone Star Conference North Division. The Bronchos' tandem of Cassidy Pillow and Lizzie Brenner scored 20 and 19 points, respectively in the loss.

The contest pitted the top two teams in the Lone Star Conference North Division pre-season poll. A&M-Commerce was picked to finish first and Central Oklahoma was picked to finish second.

Trailing by five at the intermission and after shooting 36.1% in the first 20 minutes, A&M-Commerce showed in the second half why it is the defending LSC North Division champion. In the second half, the Lions held UCO to a dismal 19.5% shooting - 8 for 41 - from the field. In addition, the A&M-Commerce offense made five-of-nine three pointers and was 10-of-14 from the free throw line to go along with 43.3% shooting from the field.

With the increased defensive intensity, A&M-Commerce relied on an inside-outside game involving Jordan, Mosley and Campbell. Both Jordan and Mosley each contributed five points each to the 19-2 run to begin the second stanza.

After the Lions took the lead to as much as 13, Brenner sparked the visitors by herself with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to eight, 58-50, with 8:35 left in the game. Down the stretch, Central Oklahoma was able to cut the deficit to five on three more occasions, but was unable to get any closer.

With a win by Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday night over Northeastern State, A&M-Commerce is now in first place in the Lone Star Conference as they head to Tahlequah on Wednesday. The two teams will tip off at 6 p.m. and all the action can be heard live on KETR (88.9 FM) and www.ketr.org.