COMMERCE— The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team will face Arlington Baptist on Monday. The game is the first the Lions have played at home in 44 days.
 
The university is inviting all local students with an 'A' grade on their recent report cards to attend the games for complimentary admission. Students from grades kindergarten through 12th grade with an 'A' grade on their recent report cards will be admitted free to both the women's and men's game, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Students must bring a copy of their report card to the game.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (12-3, 5-2 LSC) vs. Arlington Baptist (8-8)
WHERE: The Field House in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS: http://statb.us/b/147042
LIVE VIDEO: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/tamucommerce/
LIVE AUDIO: www.ketr.org
TICKETS: http://lionathletics.com/sports/2016/11/18/2016-17-basketball-ticket-information.aspx
 
The Lions are coming off of an 81-63 loss to Tarleton State on Tuesday. Head coach Sam Walker wasn't hitting any panic buttons after losing to a top-20 school in the nation on the road.
 
"I thought we played a lot better than what the score was," he said. "They had a really hot shooting night, making 16 threes. We played pretty good defense. I think we had some pretty good looks at the bucket and we missed shots. That happens some nights. But there is a lot that goes into the emotions of four games on the road that were played the way they were played. They were down-to-the-buzzer games. Sometimes you don't have the emotional kick."
 
That game was the final game of a seven-game road trip for A&M-Commerce that started in early December. The Lions finished 5-2 on that swing, something Walker said he was pleased with. But he wasn't focused solely on the outcomes, but on how his team was playing.
 
"Whether we were 5-2 or not, we just wanted to come out of it playing good basketball and be on a roll," he said. "That's something we have to keep telling these guys. We have to think about the last seven games and not just the last game. We have to keep positive about the good things that are happening in our program."
 
The Lions now return home after playing their last seven games on the road. They now have eight of their next 10 games at home. Walker likes where his team is and how the schedule favors them down the stretch. He is focused on defending the team's home floor.
 
"You've got to win your home games," he said. "You have to get after it and have fun winning in front of your home crowd. You have to enjoy it. For these young guys, I tell them all the time. This is going to be the most fun time of their lives. They get a chance to do something they love. They need to soak it up."
 
The Lions now host Arlington Baptist College, a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association. The Lions look to get their bench players extended minutes and focus on execution. This will be the final non-conference game of the regular season for A&M-Commerce.
 
"They've been a good program on their level," Walker said of Arlington Baptist. "I expect us to have success. I also expect us to execute and play on the same level that we've been playing and not come down to their level. Hopefully we'll be able to get a lot of people in the game that haven't played and get a chance to work on some things that we need to work on and grow as a team. Every game is important."