Commerce, Texas – Eddie Leal turned in a career performance with 16 points and six made field in the Lions 84-66 win over South Dakota Mines and Technology Saturday night in the historic Field House in nonconference competition.
 
Leal torched the Hardrockers from long range going 4-of-5 from behind the arc.  He finished 6-of-7 overall in the win to earn his 16 points.  Leal snapped his previous career-high of 15 points.  He also snapped his career mark with his six made field goals, and his four made triples tied his previous personal best. 
 
Darrell Williams scored a game-high 27 points to pick up his 20th game of the season in double figures and his 13th game of the season with 20 or more points.  He finished 11-of-19, both season-highs, from the field.  He also grabbed 13 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season.  He entered the game tied for fourth in the NCAA in double-doubles. 
 
A&M-Commerce led from the first basket of the game and mounted a 46-29 halftime lead over South Dakota Mines thanks to six made triples in the frame.  The Lions cruised in the second half to earn the 84-66 win and to improve to 17-6 on the season.
 
A&M-Commerce finished 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc.  South Dakota Mines ended at 42 percent overall and 25 percent from long range.  The Lions struggle from the free throw line converting on 15 of their 29 attempts for 52 percent, while the Hardrockers went 13-of-15 for 87 percent.
 
The Lions turned the ball over only eight times, their lowest total of the season, after a zero turnover first half.  The Hardrockers handed the ball over 10 times.
 
Four Lone Star Conference games await the Lions to close out the season with a trip to Eastern New Mexico first on the slate Wednesday, February 18 with tipoff set for 8:30 p.m. central time.
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2014-15 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.