COMMERCE – In a game where both teams had the lead in double digits at one point, the South Alabama Jaguars gave the East Texas A&M University men's basketball team an 81-72 loss on its home floor on Sunday afternoon at the Hunt Regional Healthcare Court in the Field House.
 
The two teams exchanged the lead through the first three minutes, until the Lions used a 15-3 run to pick up a 19-8 lead at the 13:39 mark of the first half, but the next six points were scored by the Jaguars.
 
At the 8:49 mark of the first half, the Lions took a 25-18 lead on a three-pointer, but 16 of the next 19 were scored by South Alabama, who led 38-22 at the break. Both teams shot over 50 percent in the first half. Eight of the Lions' 11 made field goals in the first half came from deep.
 
Back-to-back three-pointers from Yusef Salih (Gainesville, Va.) and TJ Thomas (Memphis, Tenn.) got the Lions within two at the 18:29 mark, but the Lions were not able to get closer than that to the Jaguars in the second half. South Alabama extended its lead to as big as 12.
 
The loss drops the Lions to 1-10 on the season, having lost seven in a row, while the Jaguars are now 7-3, having recorded three wins over SLC opponents. The two teams met in 2021 in Mobile, but that game was an exhibition for the Lions, a 69-66 win for the Jaguars.
 
Salih went 5 for 8 from deep and added a pair of free throws for team-best 17 points and three assists. Khaliq Abdul-Mateen (Cy-Lakes) went 5 for 11 from deep and added a layup to tie Salih with 17 points as well. Demarco Bethea (Sellars, S.C.) picked up eight rebounds and scored six.
 
The Lions shot 48 percent from the field, 46 percent from deep, making 17 three-pointers, and 7 for 11 at the line. The Jaguars are finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field, 9 for 20 from deep, and 16 for 29 at the line.
 
South Alabama came into the game being ranked 20^th in Division I in turnover margin and forced 20 Lion turnovers, while committing just seven of its own. The Jaguars scored 19 points off turnovers and 21 fast break points.
 
Myles Corey scored 27 to lead the Jaguars, while Barry Dunning Jr. had 14.
 

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The Lions welcome Abilene Christian on Wednesday at 11 a.m. for the Education Day game presented by Signature Solar. Fans looking to attend the game can purchase tickets at LionAthletics.com/tickets.