MEN'S BASKETBALL

A 10-3 spurt late in the game led host Texas A&M University-Commerce to a 62-59 win over Ouachita Baptist on Monday night at the A&M-Commerce Field House. 

A&M-Commerce (11-2) bounced back from shooting 22.7% in the first half to shoot 52.2% in the second half. In the second 20 minutes, the Lions also outscored the Tigers by a 40 to 26 margin, including a decisive 18 to 5 advantage on points from the bench and 22 to 12 on points in the paint. 

Freshman Preston Whitley (pictured) had a game-high 19 points for the second-straight game in the win and he was joined in double figures by senior Sammy Jackson, who added 15 points. 

 Ouachita Baptist (4-9) got a team-high 16 points from Julian LeDay and 10 more from Olden Jordan in the loss. The Tigers built a 33-22 halftime advantage on the strength of five 3 pointers and 48% shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes. 

Trailing 50-44 with 6:19 in the game, the Lions rattled off six-consecutive points to tie the game for the first time since 18-18 with 6:01 left in the first half. 

Following the tie, the two teams exchanged the lead on a pair of occasions until Whitley converted on a three-point play with 1:31 to put A&M-Commerce up by a 60-59 margin and for the remainder of the contest. Jackson added two free throws with 7.9 seconds to seal the win. 

The Lions will now resume the rigors of the Lone Star Conference play, starting with No. 9 Midwestern State on Thursday at the A&M-Commerce Field House. The game is slated for an 8 pm tipoff.