COMMERCE – Demarcus Demonia scored career-best 33 points to give the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team its first Southland Conference win, prevailing 82-74, over the UIW Cardinals in overtime on Saturday afternoon in the Field House.
 
Both teams had chances to win down the stretch in regulation, but both missed a free throw each in the final minute to keep the game tied at 70. UIW had the last possession in regulation but could not get a shot off.
 
The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the Lions, who improve to 5-10 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. The Cardinals drop their conference opener and are 6-8 on the season. This is the first win for the Lions as a member of the Southland Conference.
 
The Lions scored the first five points of the overtime period, all coming at the free-throw line. UIW scored just four points in overtime. The Lions move to 2-0 in overtime games this season.
 
Demonia (Fort Washington, Md.) shot 12 for 19 from the field, six of his seven missed shots were three-point attempts. He finished the game with 33 points and just a missed a double-double with nine rebounds. He made all six of his free-throw attempts, including three in overtime. His 30-point game is the first for the Lions since Wayne Stewart scored 30 on January 16, 2020.
 
Tommie Lewis (Vero Beach, Fla.) scored 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal off the bench. JJ Romer Rosario (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.) totaled 11 points, six rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block. Alex Peavy (San Antonio – Smithson Valley) tallied 11 points, three rebounds, two steals, and team-best four assists.
 
The Lions shot 48.2 percent from the field and led by as much as 11 in the second half. UIW's largest lead in the game was just one point, which it had twice, including with 39 seconds left in the second half, but a free-throw from Peavy tied the game.
 
Jonathan Cisse scored 20 points for the Cardinals. The Lions outrebounded the Cardinals, 40-32.   

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The Lions remain home on Thursday, hosting Nicholls at 8 p.m.