Oklahoma City, Oklahoma –A&M-Commerce surged out to an early first half lead following a sizzling 60 percent shooting percentage in the opening frame and cruised to an 81-66 win over Oklahoma Christian Friday night in the team's 2015-16 season opener at the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge.
Turning Point- A&M-Commerce used a 28-6 run through the middle part of the first half to open up a 38-11 lead with 5:20 remaining in the first half.
Quotable- "We played harder tonight than we did in the scrimmage, and that will usually give you some success when you need time for the execution to come around." – A&M-Commerce head coach
Sam Walker.
Highlights-
Ronnie White, playing in his first game for the Lions, scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting. He also added eight rebounds and three blocks to lead A&M-Commerce in all three stat categories.
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Jo'Vone Haynes chipped in 15 points after 5-of-9 from the field.
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Jeremy Jones,
Bryant Crowder and
De'Andre Carson each scored in double figures adding 12 points, 11 points and 10 points respectively.
- Carson handed out a game-high six assists and had five steals.
- The Lions shot 60 percent from the field in the first half and ended at 48 percent, while the Eagles managed to shoot just 22 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game at 34 percent.
- A&M-Commerce connected on five of its 12 three pointers for 42 percent and made 24 of their 34 free throw attempts for 71 percent.
Summary1st Half- The Lions turned a five point lead, 10-5, with 15:39 on the clock in a 27 point lead, 38-11, 10 minutes later following a 28-6 run.
- A&M-Commerce pushed the lead out to a game-high 29 points, 44-15, with three minutes left in the first half, before taking a 48-27 lead into the locker rooms.
- The Lions bench outscored the Eagles bench 31-3 in the first 20 minutes highlighted by 14 points from White.
2nd Half- Oklahoma Christian chipped away at the Lion lead cutting the deficit down to 12 points, 68-56, with 5:46 left in the second half, but the Lions regained control and cruised to the 15-point, 81-66, win.
Inside the box score- White became the second straight player to open his Lion career with 20 plus points after All-American
Darrell Williams opened the 2014-15 season with 21 points against Lubbock Christian.
- Carson's 10 points was a new career-high. The former Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year also notched a career-high five rebounds and five steals.
What's Next?- A&M-Commerce will turn around and tipoff against Newman Saturday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. in game two of the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge.
- The Lions open their home slate Wednesday, November 18 against Huston-Tillotson in the Field House at 7:30 p.m.
Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.
