Grand Junction, Colo. – The A&M-Commerce men's basketball team travels to Colorado Mesa to take park in the Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic with a pair of games against Western State the host Mavericks on Friday, November 27 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m. central time respectively.
 
The Opening Tip
Fast-break Points About A&M-Commerce
- A&M-Commerce enters the weekend tournament at 2-1 following a record breaking 132-83 win over Huston-Tilloston ... The Lions set the school record for points in single-game in the win.
- Two Lions recorded double-doubles with Bryant Crowder scoring a game-high 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Ronnie White hauled down a game-high 14 rebounds and added 15 points.
- The Lions opened the 2015-16 campaign with an 81-66 win over Oklahoma Christian before falling to Newman 89-79 in the second game of the season at the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge.
- Ronnie White became the second Lion in as many season to start a year with 20 or more points ... He notched 22 in the opener against Oklahoma Christian ... In 2014 Darrell Williams scored 21 points in the first game.
- A&M-Commerce returned seven players from 2014-15 ... Anthony Adams is the team's leading returning scorer after averaging 11.3 ppg and 3.8 assists per game a season ago.
- The Lions won nine of their last 12 games after knocking of No 2 seed and No. 17 ranked Angelo State, 68-61, in the LSC Tournament Championship. The Rams knocked the Lions out of the NCAA Tournament, 85-79.
- A&M-followed up with a 53-51 win over No. 1 seed and No. 7 ranked Tarleton State in the semifinals ... Darrell Williams noted 20 points and 12 rebound .
- Williams was named the LSC Tournament's MVP ... LaDon Carnegie and Anthony Adams were named all-tournament team ... It was the first time since 1984 the Lions had three players named all-tournament.
- A&M-Commerce saw Darrell Williams earn Newcomer & Player of the Year from the Lone Star Conference ... He was also a first team selection ... Christian MaCauley claimed his second all-defensive team and Defensive Player of the Year honors ... MaCauley and LaDon Carnegie earned second team all-conference ... Williams also notched All-American honors following the season.
- At 24-5 overall the Lions won 20 games for the first time since 2004-05 ... It's the second time under head coach Sam Walker and the 15th time in program history ... The Lions are currently receiving votes in the final regular season poll.
- A&M-Commerce is coached by Sam Walker in his 16th season at the helm of the Lions program. Walker the is the program's all-time leader in wins with 252.
 
A&M-Commerce and Western State by the Numbers
Lions                  Category                           Mountaineers
97.3                    Points per game               68.2
+18.0                 Scoring margin                  -16.5
53.4 percent      Field goal percentage        41.1 percent
42.9 percent      3-pt FG percentage            30.4 percent
73.3 percent      Free throw percentage       62.2 percent
46.7                   Rebounds per game           31.8
+15.0                 Rebounding margin            -8.7
19.0                   Assists per game                15.5
16.0                   Turnovers per game           16.8
-4.7                    Turnover margin                 -1.7
7.3                     Steals per game                  5.0
4.0                      Blocks per game                2.5
 
A&M-Commerce and Colorado Mesa by the Numbers
Lions                  Category                            Mavericks
97.3                    Points per game                84.8
+18.0                 Scoring margin                  +3.0
53.4 percent      Field goal percentage       45.9 percent
42.9 percent      3-pt FG percentage          33.7 percent
73.3 percent      Free throw percentage     74.6 percent
46.7                   Rebounds per game         39.0
+15.0                 Rebounding margin          +1.2
19.0                   Assists per game              16.0
16.0                   Turnovers per game         14.5
-4.7                    Turnover margin                +0.5
7.3                     Steals per game                 7.8
4.0                     Blocks per game                1.0
 
A&M-Commerce vs. Western State and Colorado Mesa:  The Series
- A&M-Commerce and Western State have never tipped off opposite each other on the hardwood.
- A&M-Commerce and Colorado have never gone toe-to-toe against each other in men's basketball
- Against current RMAC teams, the Lions are 4-4 all-time.
 
About the Mountaineers
- Western State is 1-3 on the season after losses to Arkansas-Forth Smith, 92-68, and Rogers State, 85-59.  The Mountaineers knocked off Eastern New Mexico for their only win, 81-77.
 
About the Mavericks
- Colorado Mesa is 2-2 on the season after losses against St. Edward's, 92-85, and Cameron, 81-73.
The Mavericks have wins over Dallas Baptist, 91-76, and Eastern New Mexico 86-82.
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.