COMMERCE – Jairus Roberson scored 24 points off the bench in his first game in the Field House, to lead the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team to a 78-69 win over Fort Valley State on Saturday afternoon. Roberson shot 7 for 9 from the field, all of shot attempts were from beyond the three point line.
 
Saturday was the season opener for the Lions, who start the season on the right foot, while the Wildcats drop to 0-5 on the year.
 
Back-to-back three pointers from Roberson (DeSoto) helped the Lions overcome an early 19-17 deficit and lead by four. In less than two minutes, the Wildcats went up by six by going on a 10-0 run.
 
A three pointer from Augustine Ene (Carrollton – Creekview) and a dunk from Demarcus Demonia (Fort Washington, Md.) cut the lead to one. The Lions closed out the first half on a 5-0 run on a three pointer by Ene and two free throws by Roberson.
 
Neither team scored through the first two minutes of the second half. After a three pointer from Carson Tuttle (Mukilteo, Wash.), the Wildcats responded with a layup by K.J. Doucet, who led the team with 22 points, to cut it to three points, which was the smallest lead for the Lions in the second half.

A&M-Commerce did not trail in the second half. With 1:35 left in the game, the Lions took their largest lead of the game, 75-62, and made their last four three pointers in the game.
 
Demonia had eight rebounds in the game to go along with eight points, three assists, and a steal. Tuttle had team-leading six assists as well as nine points, which all came via three pointers. Clashon Gaffney (Clarksville) had eight points on 3 for 4 shooting from the field and four blocks.
 
Ene had 12 points, four assists, and two blocks. Alphonso Willis (Moultrie, Ga.) had eight points and five rebounds, but also had four personal fouls. The Lions shot 45 percent from the field and 53.6 percent from outside the arc.  
 
Saturday's game marked the first home game for freshman Monyae Davis (Fort Worth – Young Men's Leadership Academy) as well as newcomers Gaffney, Roberson, and Willis. Saturday's game was also the first time that the Lions were able to have a full capacity in the Field House since the 2019-20 season, with 512 fans attending the game.


POSTGAME INTERVIEW
 
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A&M-Commerce hosts Lion Hoopsgiving presented by Best Western Plus next weekend, welcoming Mississippi College, Ouachita Baptist, and UT Tyler. The Lions take on Mississippi College on Friday at 4 p.m. and Ouachita Baptist on Saturday, November 27 at 2:30 p.m.