COMMERCE, Texas – The No. 12 Angelo State women's basketball team lost in the final seconds 83-80 on the road to Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday evening.
The Belles (18-3, 12-3 LSC) had four players in double figures but struggled from the free throw line only making 56.5 percent (13-for-23). The Lions (17-6, 11-4 LSC) outrebounded ASU 43-38 and scored 15 second-chance points.
"We had opportunities tonight to win but we didn't finish," Angelo State head women's basketball coach Kevin Baker said. "We look forward to the game Saturday and hopefully we play better."
Taylor Dorsey and Jasmine Prophet led the Belles with 20 points each. Prophet also added eight rebounds and five blocks. Madi Greenwood added 17 points while Lexi Murphy chipped in 11 and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lions jumped out to an 8-2 lead to start the game until Murphy made a layup and Prophet made three straight free throw to give ASU a 9-8 advantage. A quick 7-1 run highlighted by consecutive steals and layups by Greenwood put ASU up six. Khiana Curry slashed in the lane and was fouled. She hit the ensuing free throw to five ASU their largest lead of the game at 20-11. The Lions finished the quarter on an 8-3 run to trim the Belles lead to 23-19.
The first three minutes of the second quarter the game was tied twice. Greenwood swished a 3-pointer but four quick points put TAMUC up 31-30. A 9-2 run had the Belles down 40-32. Dorsey hit a fast break jumper and a pair of free throws by Greenwood made it 40-36. ASU would not get closer trailing 42-37 at the half.
Texas A&M-Commerce took a 47-39 advantage to open the second half but the Belles responded in a big way. Angelo State answered with an 18-5 run to take a 55-47 with 4:32 left in the third quarter. The Lions trimmed the deficit to 57-52 but a Murphy 3-pointer extended the lead to eight. ASU took its biggest lead at 67-56 on a back-to-back baskets. The senior made a 3-pointer and made a jumper off a steal from Murphy.
Angelo State had built a 67-58 lead going into the fourth quarter. The lead swelled to 10 at 68-58 as Murphy hit one free throw at the 9:43 mark. The Lions went on a 17-5 run to take the lead with 4:53 left in the game. A 3-pointer by Murphy gave the lead and it would change five more times. The two teams traded baskets until the Belles grabbed an 80-79 lead with 2:10 left. ASU would be held scoreless over the final 2:10 of the game as
Texas A&M-Commerce scored the final three points for a 83-80 win.
The Belles will return to the court on Saturday in Stephenville against Tarleton State at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 and can be heard locally on 1260AM KKSA.
