COMMERCE – All five starters scored in double digits for the No. 21 ranked Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team in Friday afternoon's Lone Star Conference opening 82-70 win over Midwestern State in the Field House. The Lions did not trail in the game, and the game was tied just once after the opening-tip.
 
A&M-Commerce won its conference opener for the first time since 2018-19 and has won three in a row to improve to 9-1 on the season. The Lions have also won eight straight meetings over the Mustangs, who fall to 4-8 on the season.
 
The Lions had 38 free throw attempts, which are the most for the team since 40 against Texas A&M-Kingsville on December 1, 2018. A&M-Commerce knocked in 26 of its 38 attempts and drew 30 fouls in the game. Thirty three of the 38 attempts came in the second half for the Lions, drawing 23 fouls in the half.
 
Jairus Roberson (DeSoto) and Cairus Key (Irving – MacArthur) made their first starts of the season on Friday. Key shot 5 for 10 from the field and made five free throws for 15 points. He also tallied team-leading five assists and three rebounds. Roberson also had three rebounds and scored 11 points.
 
Scoring his 10^th point on a free throw with 42 seconds left in the game, Demarcus Demonia (Fort Washington, Md.) secured his second double-double of the season. He recorded 12 rebounds as well as a block. Augustine Ene (Carrollton – Creekview) led the team in scoring with season-best 20 points on 7 for 9 shooting from the field. Ene totaled five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
 
Clashon Gaffney (Clarksville) continued his nation-leading pace of four blocks per game. He scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds, to go along with four rejections. Leo Lara (Santa Rosa), Alex Peavy (San Antonio – Smithson Valley), and Monyae Davis (Fort Worth – Young Men's Leadership Academy) scored four points off the bench and Rodney Brown (Beaumont – West Brook) made a jumper.
 
Ene knocked down a fast break layup to start the scoring on Friday afternoon. Jermane Carter, who led Midwestern State with 17 points, tied it at two on a layup. Key answered on the other end with a floater to regain the lead, which the Lions did not surrender for the rest of the game.
 
A&M-Commerce's biggest lead of the first half came with 1:48 left on a three pointer by Roberson. Midwestern State cut the deficit down to single digits by going on a 9-0 run extending over the start of the second half. Davis made both of his free throws at the 5:45 mark for a 19-point lead, which was the highest lead of the game.


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The Lions start the new year in the Field House on Sunday at 4 p.m. against DBU. Admission is free for Sunday's game as part of Fan Appreciation Weekend.