-
Dorian Norris (34) shoots for three during the Lions' game against Southeastern Louisiana Saturday. Norris tallied 14 points in the Lions' 65-49 road loss. Lion Athletics Photo by Avi Mehta
HAMMOND, La. — The Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions picked up a 65-49 win at the Pride Roofing University Center over the Texas A&M University-Commerce women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.
This was a rematch of last season's overtime thriller between the two teams in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals. A&M-Commerce drops to 8-8 overall and 3-3 against Southland Conference opponents. Southeastern is 10-7 overall and a perfect 6-0 in SLC action, which is the best record in the SLC. The Lions are now 0-4 all-time against Southeastern.
The first four points of the game were scored by Southeastern. A&M-Commerce came to within one at 6-5, but the Lady Lions scored 11 of the next 13 points over a stretch of five minutes in the first quarter. Jalencia Pierre scored nine points in the first quarter for SLU.
A&M-Commerce outscored Southeastern, 8-4 in the first three minutes and 16 seconds of the second quarter, but the Lady Lions closed out the second quarter on a 14-4 run to lead 3824 at the break, which was their largest lead of the half.
The Lions shot 30% from the field in the first half, while Southeastern shot 45 percent. A&M-Commerce was 3 for 4 at the line, while SLU was 10 for 17. Southeastern out rebounded A&M-Commerce, 26-14, in the first half.
Dorian Norris led the way for the Lions with eight points and four rebounds in the first half. She shot 3 for 5 from the field and 2 for 3 from outside the three-point arc.
Southeastern had the 14-11 edge in the third quarter to take a 52-35 going into the fourth quarter. A&M-Commerce shot 3 for 16 from the field in the third quarter, adding four points at the free throw line.
The Lions ended the game shooting 25% from the field, which was their lowest in conference play this year. A&M-Commerce was 5 for 20 from deep and 14 for 18 at the line. Southeastern shot 40 percent from the field, while going 16 for 25 at the line and 3 for 13 from outside the arc.
Norris finished the game with 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Mia Deck scored 10 with seven rebounds and led the team with three assists. Jordyn Beaty totaled six points and eight rebounds.
For Southeastern, Pierre scored 15, while Taylor Bell added 12 points. SLU outrebounded A&M-Commerce, 47-37, and had the 17-5 edge in fast break points.
Jasmine Payne earned her start as a Lion. The Lion starting lineup on Saturday was the fifth different combination used by A&M-Commerce this year.
The Lions return home to host A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Nicholls next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for both games can be purchased at LionAthletics. com/Tickets.