Commerce, Texas

With a 24-4 run to start the contest, the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team closed out 2006 with an 84-71 win over East Texas Baptist in a non-conference tilt on Sunday afternoon at the A&M-Commerce Field House.

The Lions (8-6) got a game-high 20 points from senior Kanani Marshal, who also made four three pointers in the win; plus they got 18 points and 11 rebounds for a third-straight double-double performance from junior Katedria Mosley in the win. Joining Marshal and Mosley in double figures was senior Tradawn Short, who scored 13 points, who went 5-for-5 from the field.

The Lady Tigers (8-4) landed five players in double figures as Marzetta Shepard paced East Texas Baptist with 19 - including 15 in the first half. Shepard was joined by Lori Lewis, who poured in 13; Candy Vallo added 11, Mary Slaughter and Sade' Stewart each added 10 in the defeat.

A 24-4 run through the first 11 minutes of the contest put the Lions in front early but, East Texas Baptist rallied behind Shepard, who scored 12 points in the final 9 minutes for the Lady Tigers. Her final three points came on a half court three-point shot at the end of the half, trimming the Texas A&M-Commerce to 37-31.

In the second half, East Texas Baptist managed to tie the contest at 42-42 on a Vallo three pointer with 16:15 left in the contest. The Lions answered with a 9-2 run with Marshal making a three pointer and a layup to spark Texas A&M-Commerce. Down the stretch, the Lady Tigers got within five, 57-52, before a decisive 19-8 run by the Lions ended the comeback attempt for ETBU. In the decisive run, the Lions scored 10 of the points inside the paint and forced six turnovers.

Up next for the Lions is a pair of Lone Star Conference crossover games on the road against Tarleton State on Thursday and Midwestern State on Saturday. Both contests will tip off at 6 pm and can be heard on the Lions Radio Network.