COMMERCE, TEXAS – HCU women's basketball dropped their season series against the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions, losing 73-65 in the Field House Saturday afternoon.
 
After falling behind in the first quarter 17-4, HCU (8-12, 3-6) stormed back in the second quarter to cut the lead down to just three. Commerce (9-12, 7-2) extended their lead to 12 on a layup early in the period. A three pointer from Jo Oly at the 7:28 mark in the period sparked a 9-2 Husky run which concluded with an Abbey Sutherland layup as she pushed the pace on a fast break.
 
After back-to-back buckets from the Lions, Sutherland knocked down a midrange jumper, Julija Vujakovic sunk a pair of free throws and N'Denasija Collins made a tough layup to get HCU within four, 29-25. Commerce answered with a layup before Collins hit a deep three to cut the deficit to three. The Lions ended the final two and a half minutes on an eight to four run, leading 39-32 heading to the half.
 
HCU was unable to get much closer in the third as the teams traded buckets throughout as the Lions led 58-50 heading to the fourth. After trailing by 11 at the six minute mark in the game, Vujakovic knocked down a three before making a midrange jumper off a Lions turnover. She wouldn't stop there as she knocked down another three pointer the Huskies very next trip down the floor, cutting the lead to three, 66-63.
 
The Lions locked in defensively, forcing several turnovers and not allowing the Huskies to score over the next three minutes. With HCU trialing by seven, Wilson made a driving layup with just over a minute to play, however the Lions would hold the Huskies scoreless the rest of the way and walked away with a 73-65 win.
 
Collins reached the 900 point club for her career with her 22 point performance. Vujakovic knocked down 2-of-5 three point attempts in her 12 point performance. Sutherland continued her hot offensive stretch with a 13 point 11 rebound double-double. Wilson finished with 11.
 
Zaria Collins led the Lions in scoring 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor. Laila Lawrence and Jasmine Paine each finished with 13 points while Mia Deck finished with 10.
 
HCU returns home to Sharp Gym for two games this week, first hosting the Northwestern State Lady Demons Thursday evening before battling with the Nicholls Colonels Saturday.