Hambrick's career-high 19 points not enough as Lions lose to ASU, 81-76

Lionel Brown proved to be the best “Lion” on Monday evening, connecting on 6-of-7 3-pointers and scoring a season-high 32 points to lead the Angelo State Rams past Texas A&M University-Commerce, 81-76, in Lone Star Conference crossover action in San Angelo.

Angelo State jumps to 11-2 for the season, which ties a school record, while A&M-Commerce drops to 7-6 overall.

Brown scored 16 first half points and hit all six field goal attempts, including four 3’s, as the Rams shot 58.3 percent in the opening period. The Lions answered with 12 points from Brad Hambrick and went into the intermission tied at 38.

DeUndrae Spraggins and Sammy Jackson helped the Lions roar out to a 7-0 run to start the second, but Lionel Brown drained another 3 and Malik Motnii scored five straight for the Rams to bring the game to an even 47 with 14:34 left to play.

The game remained tight until ASU went on a 9-3 run that was capped by another 3 from Brown, who finished 10-of-14 from the floor, to give the Rams a 10-point advantage.

A&M-Commerce attempted a comeback in the final minutes, but Brown sank six free throws in the final 1:22 to seal the game and end the Lions three-game winning streak.

Hambrick finished with a career-high 19 points to pace the Lions. Jackson tallied 16 points, Cardell Hunter scored 14 and Ronnie Morgan added 11.

Motnii followed Brown with 14 points, Shavar Burch dropped in 12 and Ryan Bennett chipped in 10 for the Rams.

A&M-Commerce will look to respond against Eastern New Mexico on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the A&M-Commerce Field House.