Three Lions Score in Double Digits to Lead A&M-Commerce to 78-72 Win Over West Texas A&M
Three Texas A&M University-Commerce players scored in double figures and the Lions made 36 free throws en route to a 78-72 win over West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon at the A&M-Commerce Field House.
A&M-Commerce (9-6) senior Rashad Brown had his fourth double double of the season, scoring a season-high 13 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. He was joined in double digits by senior DeUndrae Spraggins, who went 12-for-12 from the free-throw line and junior Sammy Jackson added a team-high 15 points. The Lions made 36 free throws, the most by an A&M-Commerce squad since a school record 39 against Texas A&M-Kingsville on January 30, 1999.
West Texas A&M (10-5) also had three players in double figures including a game-high 16 from Kyle Shields to pace the Buffaloes. He was joined by Nick Burns and Justin Johnson, who each scored 12.
With the game tied at 16 at the 6:25 mark in the first half, the Lions scored 17 of the next 25 points to go into the halftime break with a 33-24 advantage. 18 of the points came from the free-throw line and nine more came from beyond-the-three point line as the Lions hit just six field goals but at a 54.5% clip.
A&M-Commerce extended the nine-point lead with a 14-3 run to start the second half for a 45-27 lead with 15:35 to go in the game. The lead remained at double digits until a three-point play by Fabrice Tafowith 4:27 to go in the game. After missing their first 15 3 pointer attempts, the Buffs hit their next three trifecta attempts to cut the A&M-Commerce to six, 67-61, with 3:29 remaining. West Texas A&M managed to cut the deficit to three, 74-71, when Nick Burns hit a 3-pointer. Spraggins went on to make all four of his free throws down the stretch to seal the contest for the Lions.
The Lions have now won five of their last six games as they head into the start of Lone Star Conference North Division play against pre-season conference favorite Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
