COMMERCE – Clashon Gaffney tied the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball record of seven blocks on Saturday afternoon, but his seventh and last block was the most important as it stopped Oklahoma Christian's effort to take the lead and allowed the Lions to win 65-63 at the Field House and remain undefeated.
 
A&M-Commerce improves to 6-0 on the season and drops Oklahoma Christian to 2-6. The two teams will face off during Lone Star Conference action in Oklahoma City on February 5.  
 
The Eagles knocked down a three pointer with 1:24 to go take a 61-60 lead, their first since the 10:11 mark of the second half. The Lions retook the lead on two free throws by Demarcus Demonia (Fort Washington, Md.), who had all eight of his points in the last five minutes of the game.
 
After the missing the first layup attempt to take the lead, Moun'tae Edmondson grabbed his own rebound. Drew Tennial went up for a layup on the second chance opportunity, which was blocked by Gaffney. The Lions' Carson Tuttle (Mukilteo, Wash.) made both of his free throws on the other end, but the Eagles came within one on two free throws by Edmondson.
 
Alphonso Willis (Atlanta, Ga.) made one of his two free throw attempts to give the Lions a 65-63 lead with seven seconds to go. Oklahoma Christian was not able to get a shot off on its last possession as Demonia stole an Eagles' pass right before the buzzer.
 
There were six lead changes in the second half as well as five ties. Both teams had five-point leads in the first eight minutes of the half. The Eagles took their five-point lead on an 8-0 run. Karlyn Kenner scored 18 points for the Eagles on 6 for 8 shooting as well as going 3 for 3 from beyond the arc and at the line. Tennial had six rebounds.
 
The Lions' largest lead of the game of 10 points came in the first half. After falling down by five points in the second half, the Lions went back up quickly behind three pointers from Jairus Roberson (DeSoto) and Leo Lara (Santa Rosa). Roberson made four three pointers for 12 points.
 
Gaffney has had four or more blocks in all but one game this season and his seven on Saturday are tied for the second most by any player in NCAA Division II this season. He also scored four points and recorded six rebounds and two steals.
 
Like Demonia, all six of Tuttle's points came in the second half. He led the team with five assists and had two rebounds. Willis scored team-high 13 points, also led the team with seven rebounds. He dished out four assists and had four steals. Augustine Ene (Carrollton – Creekview) totaled 10 points.
 
Khaliq Abdul-Mateen (Cy Lakes) made all three of his shots, including two three pointers and knocked down a free throw for nine points. He grabbed four rebounds as well.
 
The Lions outshot the Eagles, 48 percent to 43.1 percent in the game, but the Eagles shot 52.2 percent in the second half.


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The Lions are in the midst of a stretch of three games in five days. A&M-Commerce welcomes Seattle Pacific to the Field House on Monday at 6 p.m.