August 28, 2012

2012-13 A&M-Commerce Men's Basketball Schedule

COMMERCE, Texas -- Texas A&M University-Commerce released its 2012-13 men's basketball schedule today with the Lions facing another challenge heading into the season. The slate consists of 28 games, including 12 at the Field House, as head coach Sam Walker's team strives to build on the momentum gained at the conclusion of 2011-12.

"We're definitely looking forward to the schedule this year and know it will be a test," Walker said. "We start off the year with some tough non-conference opponents, which should prepare us well for our conference schedule. Then we get into the heart of our Lone Star Conference schedule, where there are no easy nights, so we'll have our work cut out for us. But I know our players are eager to get back onto that court and pick up where we left off last season."

The Lions open up the season in Austin, facing St. Edward's in the season-opener on Friday, November 9, before taking on UT-Permian Basin the following night. A&M-Commerce's first date at the Field House will be on Tuesday, November 13 when the Lions play host to Dallas Baptist at 7:00 p.m.

A&M-Commerce then heads to Stephenville for a pair of neutral site games, facing East Central and UT-Permian Basin on November 16 and 17, leading into a pair of tough home contests against Ouachita Baptist (Nov. 20) and Southern Arkansas (Nov. 26).

The 2012-13 LSC schedule opens up on the road for A&M-Commerce as the Lions travel to Abilene Christian to face the Wildcats on Tuesday, December 4, followed by their conference home opener on Saturday, December 8th, taking on Angelo State at the Field House.

The Lions close out the 2012 calendar year with three-straight road games, heading into Dallas to face Dallas Baptist on Saturday, December 15, leading into an Arkansas road trip which includes dates against Ouachita Baptist (Dec. 18) and Southern Arkansas (Dec. 19).

When the calendar turns to 2013, A&M-Commerce heads into the meat of its Lone Star Conference schedule, beginning with a home showdown with Incarnate Word on Wednesday, January 2nd. After a trip to Kingsville for a meeting with the Javelinas (Jan. 5), the Lions get their first crack at the reigning LSC champions Midwestern State, hosting the Mustangs on Wednesday, January 9th.

Road trips to Cameron (Jan. 12) and West Texas A&M (Jan. 16) are next up for the Lions before A&M-Commerce returns home to close out the first half of the conference schedule facing Eastern New Mexico on January 19 and Tarleton State on January 26.

The second half of the conference slate begins in Stephenville as the Lions and Texans will play the back end of the home-and-home series on Saturday, February 2 before A&M-Commerce welcomes Abilene Christian to the Field House for the final time as an LSC member on Wednesday, February 6.

A tough two-game road swing to Angelo State (Feb. 9) and Incarnate Word (Feb. 13) leads into the stretch run of the 2012-13 campaign in which A&M-Commerce will host three of their final five regular season meetings at home. Texas A&M-Kingsville makes it's yearly trip to the Field House on Saturday, February 16, followed by a challenging trip to Wichita Falls to face Midwestern State on Feb. 20.

The final two home games of the year feature Cameron on Saturday, February 23, and West Texas A&M on Wednesday, February 27. The Lions then close out the regular season at Eastern New Mexico, facing the Greyhounds on Saturday, March 2.

A&M-Commerce then sets its sights toward the postseason as Walker's squad looks to qualify for the 2013 Lone Star Conference Championships held at the Allen Event Center March 7-10. The Lions are seeking their eighth-straight tournament appearance, the longest current streak in the conference.

Fans will notice a slight adjustment to the game start times in 2012-13 as tip-off times have been altered slightly to allow more opportunities for fans to watch their Lions play. Wednesday night double-headers will begin at 5:30 p.m. for the women's game, followed by the men's tip at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday games have the biggest change as the games will start at 2 p.m. for the women and 4 p.m. for the men.