The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions had a battle Saturday afternoon when they slipped past Southeastern Okla. 82-79.
With 55 seconds remaining, the Lions trailed 79-77. Lion guard Britney Jordan grabbed a live ball and dished to guard Tarika Campbell underneath the basket.
Campbell, who was fouled, made the basket to tie the game and hit the free throw to take the lead by one 80-79.
The defense held strong, and guard Kanani Marshal sealed the victory with two made free throws with 13 seconds left in the game.
“It was a great team effort and we never quit playing hard,” said Texas A&M University Commerce Lions Head Coach Denny Downing. “More than anything I think it was the way we won.”
The Lions started the game quick on an 11-2 run, but the Savage Storm were able to keep it close.
Southeastern freshman guard Kasey Russell sparked the Savage Storm offense, coming off the becnch scoring 17 points in the first half, 15 from three-pointers.
Jordan led the Lions to a three point halftime lead 42-39 with 13 points.
After trailing throughout the first half, the Savage Storm began the second on a 15-5 run, taking the early lead.
The Lions were able to keep it close and had a fantastic finish to record their ninth win in 10 games.
Jordan led the Lions offense with 28 points. Marshal scored 18 and had seven rebounds to go along.
“We were all pretty pumped from the jump, we knew this game was going to be big,” said Jordan.
Make-up against Central Oklahoma
On Monday, the Lions made up a game that had been canceled due to bad weather against Central Okla.
The game seemed to have caught the women off guard as the Bronchos were able to get up by as many as seven early in the contest.
The Lions put a run together and took the lead 21-20 with 9:58 remaining in the first half, but an 8-0 run to end the half had the Bronchos up by one, 41-40.
WIth the game tied at 53 in the second half, the Lions went on a 12-3 run and never looked back.
Marshal led the way for the Lions, scoring 22 of her 27 points in the second half, as the women were able to win big 90-75.
“After a big win Saturday, it took us awhile to get going,” said Downing.
Mosley had a big game as well, recording her sixth double-double of the year with 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Downing said, “This is one of the better games she has played.”
Jordan played well again netting 16, while forward Tradawn Short added a season high 14 points.
The women have an overall record of 15-7 and are 3-1 in division play.
The Lions will travel to Weatherford Okla. on Feb. 3 to face Southwestern Okla. in an LSC North Division game.