COMMERCE, Texas – SEU Women's Basketball suffered its first loss of the season Friday evening, falling 86-79 to Texas A&M Commerce.

Commerce has been on the cusp of a national ranking most of the season but the Hilltoppers felt no pressure as the game got underway. It was a tight game early as neither team was able to go up by more than five points in the first quarter. The frame would end just as it had started, in a deadlock 18-18.

Texas A&M Commerce opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run to lead 26-18 and were able to keep SEU from regaining the lead despite pulling within one point, 30-29, on MARYAM WILCHER's three with 3:50 to play.

The Lions took a five point lead into halftime and watched their lead jump to 13 before SEU sprung into action. The Hilltoppers continued to battle and pulled within six, 56-50, heading into the fourth quarter.

ABBY HOPPER's three with eight minutes to go in the fourth gave the Hilltoppers the lead early, but the Lions refused to back down and pulled ahead by six, 68-62 with 2:11 to play. Refusing to give in, SEU closed the frame on a 7-2 run to tie the contest and force overtime, capped off by Hopper's two clutch free throws to tie the game 69-69 with :32 seconds remaining.

BAILEY HILL opened the overtime frame with a jumper but was unable to spark a run as the Lions jumped ahead by five 82-77. Wicher's jumper brought SEU within three but that is a close as they would get as the final buzzer sounded.

Hill led with 19 points on 8-16 shooting while Cunningham added 15, Wilcher chipped in 14 and Hopper 13. Hopper posted her first double-double of the season, adding 13 rebounds to go with her 13 points.

SEU moves to 3-1 on the year and they return home to face Kutztown on Tuesday, November 20 at 5:30 PM.