Oklahoma City, Oklahoma –Newman outlasted A&M-Commerce 89-79 handing the Lions their first of the 2015-16 campaign in the team's second game at the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge Saturday night in the Eagle's Nest.
Turning Point- A&M-Commerce trailed by two points, 71-69, with 7:05 on the clock, but the Jets mounted a 9-2 run to push the lead out to 80-71 three minutes later.
Highlights-
Ronnie White led the Lions with 18 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. He was also 10-of-11 from the free throw line.
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JR Owens chipped in 14 points highlight by a 4-for-8 effort from behind the three-point arc.
- Three Lions had ten points –
Anthony Adams,
Bryant Crowder,
Craig Fofang.
- A&M-Commerce went 47 percent from the field compared to 46 percent for Newman. The Lions were 39 percent from three, compared to 30 percent for the Jets.
- The Lions held a 44-31 advantage in rebounds.
- Newman forced the Lions into 23 turnovers while only handing the ball over to A&M-Commerce nine times. The Jets scored 20 points off of the Lions' turnovers.
Quotable- "We won every statistical category except turnovers and it is tough to beat good teams if your not making good decisions with the basketball. The guys are looking to playing in front of a home crowd for the first time this year." – A&M-Commerce head coach
Sam Walker.
Summary1st Half- The Jets held an early five point lead, 15-10, with 13:45 showing on the clocking, but the Lions mounted a run at the lead with a 9-4 run to tie the game at 19 two minutes later.
- The two teams traded the lead until Newman broke a tie at 31 with a 9-0 run to take a 40-31 lead with 3:52 left before the half.
- A&M-Commerce cut the lead down to four points, 43-39, at the half after White hit a jumper with 34 seconds on the clock.
2nd Half- Newman came out of the intermission and extended its lead to 14 points, 57-43, five minutes into play following a 14-4 run.
- A&M-Commerce battle back and cut the lead down to three points, 57-54, after an Owens triple with 12:31 on the clock, but Newman quickly pushed the lead back to nine, 63-54, with 11:50 left.
- The Lions continued to fight back trimming the deficit down to two points, 71-69, at the seven-minute mark, but the Jets sealed the win a 9-2 run over the next three minutes.
- Newman led by as many as 12 points before taking the 89-79 win.
Inside the box score- Owens' four three pointers made set a new career-high. His eight three point attempts were also a career-high.
- Crowder came within one rebound of recording the first double-double of the season for the Lions.
What's Next?- - 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.
