COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by its final, frantic seconds, Reza Po hit a go-ahead floating jumper with three seconds remaining and then sank a crucial free throw to seal a 71-68 victory for Texas A&M-Commerce over Stephen F. Austin in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game on Monday night.

The Lions, who led for nearly the entire contest, saw their advantage vanish in the closing minutes before Po’s late-game heroics at a sparsely attended Texas A&M-Commerce Field House, where 363 fans watched the home team improve to 5-5. Stephen F. Austin fell to 7-5.

Po, a 5-foot-2 guard from San Bruno, California, finished with 22 points and six assists, but her final five points were the most critical. With the score tied at 68 and the clock winding down, Po drove into the lane and connected on a difficult floating shot to put Commerce ahead 70-68. She was fouled on the play and, after a Stephen F. Austin timeout, calmly made the first of two free throws to establish the final three-point margin.

Stephen F. Austin’s last chance to tie evaporated when Harmanie Dominguez’s desperation three-point attempt from the top of the key as time expired missed everything.

The game was a tale of contrasting styles and persistent Stephen F. Austin resilience. Commerce built its lead by forcing turnovers and capitalizing from the perimeter and the free-throw line. The Lions forced 19 Ladyjacks turnovers, converting them into 21 points, and outscored Stephen F. Austin 13-10 from the charity stripe. They also hit eight three-pointers to the Ladyjacks’ four.

Stephen F. Austin, meanwhile, relied on interior efficiency and a dominant performance from Kaylinn Kemp to claw back. The Ladyjacks shot 45.8% from the field (27 of 59) compared to Commerce’s 37.3% (25 of 67). Kemp, a 5-9 guard from Duncanville, Texas, was the engine for the visitors, scoring 22 points and dishing out eight assists in 34 minutes.

Commerce controlled the first half, leading 36-30 at the break behind a balanced attack. Po and Cora Horvath, who had 13 points and six assists, orchestrated the offense, while J’Unti Franklin provided a spark off the bench with 12 points. The Lions stretched their lead to as many as 11 points in the third quarter and took a 56-48 advantage into the final period.

The fourth quarter belonged to Stephen F. Austin’s relentless pursuit. The Ladyjacks opened the quarter on a 12-4 run, tying the game at 60 on a Cha Gardner layup with 5:46 to play. Gardner, listed as Makana Gardner from Newark Valley, New York, finished with 14 points. From there, the teams traded blows in a tense, back-and-forth affair featuring six ties and three lead changes in the final five minutes alone.

Key Roseby, who scored 15 points for Stephen F. Austin, tied the game at 68 on a layup with 1:43 remaining. Both teams then endured empty possessions and turnovers under intense defensive pressure, setting the stage for Po’s final drive.

Beyond the scoring, Commerce’s defensive activity was pivotal. The Lions recorded 11 steals, led by Horvath and Alva Hedrich with three apiece, and assisted on 11 of their 25 made field goals. Stephen F. Austin managed only five assists against their 19 turnovers, a decisive disparity.

For Texas A&M-Commerce, Tiani Ellison added 10 points off the bench. Stephen F. Austin’ Harmanie Dominguez contributed eight points, four assists, and two blocks in the losing effort.

The win was a significant result against the odds, as statistical projections heavily favored Stephen F. Austin. The Lions will look to build on the momentum when they host Lamar on Wednesday. Stephen F. Austin aims to rebound on the road at Northwestern State the same day.