Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's basketball

The Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's basketball team (formerly the East Texas State Lions) is the women's intercollegiate basketball program representing Texas A&M University–Commerce. The school competes in the Southland Conference (SLC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For their first 51 years of existence, they competed in the Lone Star Conference of Division II. The A&M–Commerce women's basketball team plays its home games at the University Field House on the university campus in Commerce, Texas. The Lions have won one conference title and has appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2007, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Beginning in 2023, the team will be coached by Valerie King.[2]

Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's basketball
2023–24 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's basketball team
UniversityTexas A&M University–Commerce
Head coachValerie King (1st season)
ConferenceSouthland Conference
LocationCommerce, Texas
ArenaTexas A&M–Commerce Field House
(Capacity: 3,055)
NicknameLions
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament appearances
2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Conference tournament champions
2007
Conference regular season champions
2007, 2020, 2021

History
The Lady Lions basketball team in action against the Cameron Aggies in 2015
The candlelight service for Devin Oliver and Aubree Butts

The women's team was formed in 1971 and played their first season under Susie Knause and finished off with a 10–6 record. The team's best season came in 2006–07 under coach Denny Downing, when the team finished off with a record of 28–9, the team not only won their first (and only) conference title but also advanced to the elite eight in the NCAA tournament only to be eliminated by Clayton State. The 2006-07 team remains as the only team in program history to make it the national tournament.[3] In 2014 the Lady Lions lost two players (Devin Oliver and Aubree Butts) in a tragic car accident in Paris, Texas, a candle light service was held at the university to honor the two and a plaque was placed in a park in Rowlett to honor Devin Oliver (who was a Rowlett High School alumni). Since their death no player on the women's basketball team has worn their jersey numbers (15 and 25).[4] Under head coach Jason Burton the Lady Lions went to 4 consecutive NCAA tournaments from 2019 to 2022, however the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during this same time period they also won 2 conference championships (2020 and 2021). Valerie King took over as head coach of the Lady Lions basketball team beginning in 2023.

Coaches

[5]

# Name Term GC OW OL OT O% CW CL CT C% PW PL CCs NCs
1 Susie Knause 1971–1985 310 109 201 0 .352 10 19 0 .345 0 0 0 0
2 Kelly Breazeale 1985–1989 102 37 65 0 .363 15 31 0 .326 0 0 0 0
3 Jim Coen 1989–1990 27 7 20 0 .259 5 11 0 .313 0 0 0 0
4 Beth Palmer 1990–1997 190 72 118 0 .379 42 64 0 .396 0 0 0 0
5 Charles Mancil 1997–2002 130 38 92 0 .292 29 47 0 .382 0 0 0 0
6 Denny Downing 2002–2009 205 106 99 0 .517 47 45 0 .511 3 1 1 0
7 Nicole Anderson 2009–2014 132 26 106 0 .197 16 68 0 .190 0 0 0 0
8 Jason Burton 2014–2023 261 171 90 0 .655 110 50 0 .688 2 3 2 0

Roster
2023–24 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightYearHometown
G 0 Cova Horvath 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) So Oberwart Austria
G 1 Dorian Norris 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Jr Lake Dallas, Texas
G 2 Jordyn Newsome 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Jr Irving, Texas
G 3 Mia Deck 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Sr Frisco, Texas
G/F 4 Jamy De Kock 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Jr Woudrichem Netherlands
G 10 Ahmya Boyce 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Jr Newport News, Virginia
G 11 DaLonna Choice 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) So Mesquite, Texas
G 12 Mary Delgado 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Sr Miami, Florida
G 14 Lucia Hervia 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Fr Almería Spain
G/F 20 Olivia Russell 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Sr Auburn Hills, Michigan
F 21 Jasmine Payne 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Jr Montgomery, Alabama
G 24 Jada Hood 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Sr Roseville, Minnesota
F 30 Jordyn Beaty 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Jr Woodville, Texas
F 32 Harper Biley 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Fr Cypress, Texas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: October 26, 2023

Arena
Main article: Texas A&M–Commerce Field House
Texas A&M–Commerce Field House

The A&M-Commerce men and women's basketball teams both share the university field house along with volleyball. The field house was constructed in 1950 and has been home to Men's basketball for over six decades. The Field House covers 69,000 square feet and will seat 3,055 people for either a volleyball or basketball contest. The facility is also the host to the university's Athletic Administration staff, the Sports Medicine Department and the Health and Human Performance Department; in addition to the offices for the basketball, cross country and track and field, golf, soccer and volleyball teams.

The Field House is shaped like an airplane hangar and has space for three basketball courts crossways. The floor allows three games to be played at the same time under one roof. The one lengthwise court is reserved for A&M-Commerce basketball and volleyball matches. With an arched roof, 58 feet from the ground at the highest point, is supported on steel beams that are stationed at one end. The university recently upgraded the hardwood court and placed a giant lion head logo in the center of the court similar to the one at Memorial Stadium.

Notable former players

See also

References
  1. "Logo Downloads - Texas A&M University-Commerce". Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  2. "Valerie King named A&M-Commerce Women's Basketball Head Coach". Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletics. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. Team History (Women)
  4. Lion Athletics Tragedy


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