Women's basketball team begins scrimmages

The A&M-Commerce women's basketball team lost all three of their first scrimmage games of the season to Ouachita Baptist University on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Junior forward Shavon Walker said control was an issue for the lions.

"We need to control ourselves, and our game and not theirs," she said. "We don't need to let the other team determine what we do."

Walker, who went four for eight with eight rebounds, said the team needs to talk more and be more patient.

"We were trying to slow down the clock," she said, "but fouling was not necessary." she said.

Junior Guard Tiffany Mitchell said that despite the losses, she thinks the team will prevail this season.

"We need to dig in deep and basically prove we our better than the other eight in the conference," she said.

Mitchell said also thinks that since the team has a group of freshmen, it is going to take time for everyone to jell since they have not played at the collegiate level.

"When you have new people that's one thing," she said, "but freshmen that have never played at this level, it's obviously going to be difficult not having any experience."

Mitchell, who went five for 13 with five rebounds, said every player on the team is important.

"Each of them brings a different flavor to the team," she said. "Everyone has their own skill. It will definitely bring us together, and if everyone gives all that they have we will be successful."

Senior guard Mattilyn McIntyre said this game was a chance for the Lions to work on their own game.

"I know it wasn't a real game," she said. "At a time like this, we need to focus on ourselves, and not necessarily worry about what the scoreboard says."

McIntyre went seven for 17 with nine rebounds and said she will never lower her style of play no matter how her team is playing.

"I've always been a competitor," she said. "I don't care if we up by 20, or down by 20."

Head Coach Nicole Anderson said the team needs to understand where to go on the offensive end.

"[We need] cohesion to really know what we are trying to do offensively," Anderson said. "I do think our defense is one of the team's strengths."

Anderson said the team is developing at a good pace prior to the season kickoff.

"I believe we our progressing in the right direction in taking small strives to being ready to go November 19," she said.