COMMERCE – For the second straight season, the Denver Pioneers ended a three-game winning streak for the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team, winning 71-61 on Sunday afternoon in the Field House.
 
The Lions fall to 3-5 on the season, having lost at home for the first time this season, while the Pioneers improve to 4-3 on the year. Denver won at home last season when A&M-Commerce came into the game on a three-game winning streak and is now 2-0 all-time against A&M-Commerce.
 
Behind 31 points from Tommy Bruner, the Pioneers led by as much as 16 in the first half, but the Lions pulled to within nine at halftime on a 7-0 scoring to close out the first half.
 
A&M-Commerce came to within a point at 44-43 as Denver had a stretch of near eight minutes without a made field goal in the second half. Bruner hit a three pointer to end that stretch and added five more points on a 3 for 3 shooting streak, pushing the Pioneer lead back up to double digits.
 
Along with Bruner's 31 points, Touko Tainamo added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jaxon Brenchley added 15 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Carr totaled eight rebounds and DeAndre Craig added five points.
 
For the Lions, who shot 65 percent in the first half, Kalen Williams (Augusta, Ga.) scored 18, while Zondrick Garrett (Oxford, Ala.) recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jerome Brewer Jr. posted seven rebounds and six rebounds.
 
Playing just seven minutes, Kwo Agwa (Calgary, Canada) totaled eight points and three rebounds, shooting 3 for 4 from the field. A&M-Commerce was held to 9 for 36 from the field in the second half, while Denver shot 9 for 30.

POST GAME INTERVIEW
 
UP NEXT
The Lions host Dallas Christian on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and play at SMU next Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets for both games can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets.