Stephenville, Texas – Darrell Williams led A&M-Commerce to a season-opening 83-76 win over Lubbock Christian with 21 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in game one of the Texan Tipoff Classic.
 
"Lubbock Christian was tough today," head coach Sam Walker said.  "They gave us some five guard looks and we had not seen that this year and forced our bigs to guard away from he basket. It was good to start the season with a win today though."
 
Williams was efficient in notching his double-double.  After scoring eight points in eight minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, he erupted for 13 points in 11 second half minutes knocking down five of his six attempts from the floor and all three of his free throw attempts.  Williams collected five rebounds in each half.
 
After scoring 12 first half points on three threes and three free throws, Eddie Leal chipped in 15 points after adding one me three in the second half.  Anthony Adams added 15 points with five assists, while Christian Macauley tallied 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. 
 
The Lions control play in the first half behind a stellar defensive effort that limited the Chaparrals to just 22 percent from the floor on 6-of-27 shooting in opening 20 minutes.  The Lions however, shot 41 percent from the floor as A&M-Commerce took a 13-point lead into the half, 38-25.
 
The Lions led by as many as 18 points, 70-52, with 6:23 left to play in the second half en route to the 83-76 win.  LCU did outscore A&M-Commerce 51-46 in the second stanza.  Both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor in the frame, but the Lions finished with the higher shooting percentage going 48 percent.  The Chaps ended at 43 percent a 21 percent increase from their second half woes.
 
A&M-Commerce also held the advantage at the charity stripe, converting 28-of-38 attempts for 74 percent, while LCU made 13 of its 20 free throw attempts for 65 percent.
 
The Lions bench played a major role in the game outscoring the Chaps bench 21-9 led by seven points each from Everrett Pleasant and De'Andre Carson.
 
The Lions improve to 2-0 over Lubbock Christian after meeting the Chaps on the hardwood for the first time since the 1979-80 season. 
 
A&M-Commerce returns to action on day two of the Texan Tipoff Classic against New Mexico Highlands with tipoff slated for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
 
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