COMMERCE – The 1955 East Texas State University men's basketball team will be recognized at halftime of the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball game on Saturday, February 24.
The 1955 East Texas State Lion Basketball Team won the NAIA Basketball National Championship and was the school's first-ever national championship team. That team went 29-5, won five games in six days at the National Tournament, and was awarded the James Naismith Trophy as the champion team.
Under legendary Coach Bob Rogers, the Lions defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State 71-54 in the national championship game, with All-American Lion center Jim Miller scoring 27 points on his way to Most Valuable Player in the National Tournament and a member of the All-Tournament Team. Fellow team members Clarence Lynch and All-American Shelby Metcalf were named second Team All-Tournament members.
During their 1955 Championship Season, the Lions averaged 72 points a game while holding their opponents to only 60 points per game. The leading scorer for the Lions was Clarence Lynch with a total of 580 points for the season (17.3 points per game). Teammate Jarrell Logan led the Lions in free throw shooting by making 79% of his shots, and Jim Miller led the team in rebounds with a total of 465 (14 rebounds per game). Miller also scored a total of 524 points (15.4 points per game).
Over the three-year span from 1952-1955, the team won 84% of their games, two Lone Star Conference Titles, three NAIA District Championships, a National Preseason Tournament, and the 1955 National Championship.
In recognition of their accomplishment, members of the 1955 Team will be honored on Saturday, February 24 at halftime of the game against UT Permian Basin. A reception and dedication is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the University Alumni Center. The public is invited to attend and welcome back the men who gave East Texas State/Texas A&M University-Commerce its first National Championship.
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