SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State Belles basketball team put up a valiant fight against the No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions, but unfortunately the Lions found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, defeating the Belles, 81-67.
 
Sawyer Lloyd started the first half for the Belles rather quickly, making a jump shot to bring Angelo State to a 2-0 lead over the Lions, but a made layup from Commerce tied the game with 7:44 left in the first quarter. Two back-to-back three pointers from Lloyd brought ASU to a six point lead over the Lions, 8-2.
 
Commerce took the lead briefly from the Belles later in the first, but two shots made in rapid succession from Madeline Stephens brought the Belles back to leading the Lions, 12-3. Another jumper from Stephens brought the Blue and Gold to a five point lead over Commerce, but two free throws made, plus two back to back layups from the Lions within one point of taking the lead from Angelo State, 16-15.
 
Commerce briefly took the lead back from the Belles by one with a made layup, but a made three pointer from Lana Marov brought the Blue and Gold back into the lead, 19-17. Another made three from Jade Mbam extended ASUs' lead to five, 22-17, but two layups made by the Lions cut their lead to one with 7:46 left in the half, 24-23.
 
ASU wouldn't score again for the next three minutes until a made jumper from Stephens brought the Belles back to a one point lead over Commerce, 26-25. A free throw from the Lions tied the game at 26-26, but Marov sunk a three to give the Belles their lead back at 29-26. Commerce took the lead back and extended it to three points to end the half, 32-29.
 
The Lions came back with their second wind to start the second half off, scoring a layup and a free throw to extend their lead to six over Angelo State, 35-29. Commerce extended their lead to seven several times throughout the third quarter, but a jumper from Samantha Rocha gave the Belles their breath back again, cutting the lead to five, 44-39.
 
Following Rochas made jumper, the Belles began knocking the Lions lead down as Rocha made layup followed by a free throw to cut into the five point deficit to two, 44-42. The Lions scored another layup, but Marov knocked down another three pointer to bring the Belles within one point of taking the lead, 46-45. Commerce made several baskets throughout the rest of the quarter, but two made three pointers from Lloyd tied the game going into the fourth quarter at 51-51.
 
Stephens made a jumper to briefly take the lead back for the Belles, 53-52, but Commerce scored nine consecutive points to take an eight point lead over the Blue and Gold, 61-53. Commerces' lead continued to grow over Angelo State, extending to 12 points with 3:48 left in the second half, 68-56. A late surge from the Lions brought the game to an end as Commerce sank two free throws to end the game against the Belles, 81-67.
 
Key Players:

• Lloyd, along with Stephens, led the Belles offensively against the Lions, each Belle scoring 22 points for Angelo State. Lloyd shot 7-14 from the field and 5-8 from the beyond the three point line, while shooting 3-4 from the free throw line, while grabbing five defensive rebounds for the Belles, registering four assists against the Lions.
• Stephens shot 10-15 from the field and 2-6 from the free throw line, grabbing eight boards for the Belles, two on offense and six on defense. Registering two assists, two blocks, and four steals for the Belles, Stephens led the Belles defense against Commerce.

 
Up Next:
The Belles return to the Stephens Arena to play the second game of the two game series against the Lions on Sunday, January 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.