COMMERCE, Texas – Transition was key for Texas A&M-Commerce in a 75-53 win Saturday afternoon at the A&M-Commerce Field House as the Lions recorded a 20-0 advantage in fastbreak points and 38-16 edge in the paint in a battle for fourth place in the Lone Star Conference.

Midwestern State (3-12, 2-3 LSC) struggled to find its rhythm throughout the entire game, being held to 30.5 percent shooting (18-of-59) while committing 24 turnovers.

The Mustangs had a rough start offensively, going 1-of-11 from the field before sophomore guard Whitney Taylor converted a three-point play to cut the MSU deficit to 8-7 with 2:56 to play in the opening quarter.

Texas A&M-Commerce (9-7, 3-2 LSC) was unable to take advantage of MSU's poor shooting, going four-plus minutes without a basket until a jumper by senior guard Gabby Scott ended the Lions drought at the 1:32 mark. Taylor recorded her second three-point play of the quarter to even the game before A&M-C grabbed a 12-10 lead after one.

A 14-0 A&M-C spurt in the second quarter gave the Lions a 28-12 advantage until a jumper by junior post Jennifer Sissel ended the MSU drought with 3:43 remaining. A three-pointer by senior guard Kathryn Odom pulled the Mustangs within 11 before the Lions took a 39-24 advantage at halftime following a 27-point quarter.

A Taylor three-pointer followed by a jumper from sophomore guard Krishawn Crockett pulled the Mustangs within 10 at 41-31 just over two minutes into the third quarter. However, eight MSU turnovers in the period doomed the Mustangs as they were unable to come any closer with the Lions opening up a 58-39 advantage.  

The Lions continued to hold a comfortable lead in the final quarter, not allowing the Mustangs to come closer than 16 points down the stretch.

Taylor paced the Mustangs with 15 points for her fourth-straight double-figure outing, two shy of her career high of 17. Crockett added 12 points for MSU while recording a career-high six rebounds. Sissel totaled eight points and six boards.

A&M-C finished with a 41.9 percentage (26-of-62) with junior guards Shomari Harris and Khala Riley each posting 14 points to lead the Lions.

Midwestern State returns to D.L. Ligon Coliseum for a 5:30 p.m. tip against Texas A&M-Kingsville.