Wichita Falls, Texas – A&M-Commerce saw its seven game winning streak come to end on the road Saturday night in their Lone Star Conference opener at Midwestern State, 61-57, as the Mustangs limited the explosive Lion offense to its lowest output of the season.
 
The Lions struggled through the first half shooting only 37 percent from the floor in the opening frame.  The Mustangs shot a lower percentage from the floor in the half, 33 percent, but knocked five three pointers to take a 34-29 lead into the intermission. MSU also controlled the glass in the first frame, a theme that continued into the second half, as the Mustangs collected 29 rebounds including 16 offensive boards leading to nine second chance points.
 
A&M-Commerce sprinted out of the halftime break with an 8-2 run to take a 38-36 lead two and a half minutes back into play.  It was the Lions first lead of the game and one that would be shorted lived as the Mustangs quickly tied the game at 40 with just under 15 minutes remaining. The MSU lead held up over the next 5:15 until A&M-Commerce evened the score at 47 on a tough contested jumper by Darrell Williams.  Christian Macauley gave the Lions a 49-47 lead with nine minutes left, but the advantage was again brief when the Mustang retied the game at 49 on the ensuing possession.
 
Williams stepped into a big triple from the top of the key for the Lions giving A&M-Commerce its largest lead of the game, 52-49, with eight minutes left, but MSU strung together a game-changing 7-0 run over the next 3:20 to take a 56-52 lead with 4:40 left to play.
 
A&M-Commerce used a pair of Anthony Adams free throws and a free throw from Williams to trim the deficit down to one point, 56-55, with four minutes left to play, however Breston McNeal knocked down a three from the corner following an offensive rebound for the Mustangs to push the margin back to four points, 59-55, with two minutes left.  McNeal's trey proved to be the dagger for the Lions.
 
The two teams traded baskets over the waning minutes as the Mustangs improved to 12-3 overall and open LSC play at 1-0 with the 61-57 win.  The Lions slipped to 9-3 on the season and fall in their LSC opener to MSU for the second time in as many seasons after suffering an 84-73 loss in the 2013-14 season.
 
Midwestern State finished the game with plus 15 rebounding advantage, 54-39, including a 25-14 advantage on the offensive glass leading to 19 second chance points for the Mustangs.  It was the first time a Lion opponent held a rebounding advantage.
 
The Lions struggled to find an offensive rhythm as A&M-Commerce finished shooting 31 percent from the floor and 30 percent from long range, while MSU only fared slightly better at 33 percent from the floor and 32 percent from behind the arc.  The Lions 31 field goal percentage was their lowest percentage early in the 2014-15 campaign.
 
The Lions continued its 9-game streak of converting more free throws than their opponents shoot.  The Blue and Gold went 18-of-25 from the line, while MSU made only seven of their 16 free throw attempts.
 
Three Lions tallied double-digits in points led by Williams who notched 20 points – his fourth 20-point performance of the season and first in the last six games.  Williams also tallied his team-leading and LSC leading eighth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds.  Williams entered play Saturday night tied for fifth in the NCAA.  LaDon Carnegie followed with 13 points, while Anthony Adams was the third Lion with 10 points.  Carnegie and De'Andre Carson led the way four assists each for A&M-Commerce.
 
Midwestern State had four players surpass the double-digit scoring mark with Xavier Blackburn and Tavarion Nix each tallying 15 points.  Nix displayed an impressive mid-range jumper and was an efficient 7-of-8 from the floor with one trey.  Blackburn led MSU on the glass with 11 rebounds for a double-double.  Breston McNeal and Thad Rideau added in 10 points each for the Mustangs. 
 
The Lions look to regain its form with their 2015 calendar year opener in the Field House against Arlington Baptist Monday, January 5 with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. or immediately following the women's game slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
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