LIONS HEAD TO DALLAS BAPTIST FOR 2011 PATRIOT THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&M-Commerce (1-2) | 19 | 42 | 61 |
| Dallas Baptist (4-2) | 32 | 39 | 71 |
| Dallas, TX (The Burg Center) | |||
| A&M-Commerce | Dallas Baptist |
|---|---|
| Pts: Brad Hambrick - 17 | Pts: FOX, Nick - 21 |
| Reb: 2 Players (#22, #44 - 7) | Reb: FOX, Nick - 10 |
| Ast: 4 Players (#44, #5, #11, #12 - 2) | Ast: MARSH, Ryan - 4 |
| Team Statistics | A&M-Commerce | Dallas Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 43.6% (24-55 ) | 55.6% (25-45 ) |
| Rebounds | 25 | 25 |
| Assists | 12 | 17 |
| Turnovers | 23 | 19 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 23 | 29 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 4 |
| Bench Pts | 13 | 9 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas-Fort Smith (5-2) | 41 | 36 | 77 |
| A&M-Commerce (2-2) | 34 | 44 | 78 |
| Dallas, TX (The Burg Center) | |||
| Arkansas-Fort Smith | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|
| Pts: Jake Toupal - 21 | Pts: 2 Players (#5, #44 - 17) |
| Reb: Djordje Stojanovic - 8 | Reb: Desmond King - 5 |
| Ast: Jalynn Mitchell - 5 | Ast: LaBree Sledge - 7 |
| Team Statistics | Arkansas-Fort Smith | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 41.5% (27-65 ) | 49.1% (26-53 ) |
| Rebounds | 34 | 25 |
| Assists | 15 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 16 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 15 | 20 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 6 |
| Bench Pts | 40 | 30 |
A&M-Commerce Lions at Dallas Baptist Patriots
Friday, Nov. 25 • 7 p.m.
Burg Center • Dallas, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-1); Dallas Baptist (3-2)
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions
Saturday, Nov. 26 • 4 p.m.
Burg Center • Dallas, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-1); Arkansas-Fort Smith (4-1)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (listen online at KETR.org)
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
A&M-Commerce Game Notes (PDF)
Opening Tip
After a short hiatus for Thanksgiving, A&M-Commerce makes the short trip to Dallas for the 2011 Patriot Thanksgiving Classic at the Burg Center on the campus of Dallas Baptist University. The Lions face the host Patriots on Friday, Nov. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. A&M-Commerce then takes on Arkansas-Fort Smith at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26.
Lions On The Web
Lion basketball fans will be able to keep up with all the action this weekend. J.P. Heath will broadcast both of the Lions' games from the Burg Center this weekend on KETR 88.9 FM and online at KETR.org. Live stats of both games will also be available at LionAthletics.com.
Scouting the Patriots
2011-12: 3-2 overall, 0-0 Heartland, 1-0 home.
Last Three Games: W at East Central (94-76), W vs. LeTourneau (78-46), L at Southwestern Oklahoma (85-71).
Head Coach: Blake Flickner (Kansas, 1998). Sixth season at Dallas Baptist (96-68, .585); sixth season overall (96-68, .585).
Patriot Key Players:
• T.J. Clark (Sr., G): 102 points (20.4 avg.), .580 FG pct., .909 FT pct., 17 reb. (3.4 avg.), 10 ast.
• Jordan McGowen (Sr., G): 80 points (16.0 avg.), .510 FG pct., 35 reb. (7.0 avg.), 10 ast.
• Nick Fox (Jr., F): 68 points (13.6 avg.), .561 FG pct., .857 FT pct., 21 reb. (4.2 avg.),
• Ryan Marsh (So. F): 66 points (13.2 avg.), .657 FG pct., 22 reb. (4.4 avg.), 2 blk.
• Wesley Gipson (Fr., G): 23 points (4.6 avg.), .636 FG pct., .500 3FG pct., 13 reb. (2.6 avg.), 9 ast.
Series Information: Friday marks the 16th meeting between A&M-Commerce and Dallas Baptist, but the first between the two schools since a 48-47 Lion victory in Commerce on January 12, 1986. The Patriots took an 86-69 victory in 1971 in the first meeting between the two, but the Lions enter the weekend with a 9-6 lead in the all-time series.
Scouting the Lions
2011-12: 4-1 overall, 0-0 Heartland, 1-1 neutral.
Last Three Games: W vs. Southwestern Oklahoma (87-66), W vs. Shepherd Tech (123-50), W vs. Ecclesia College (88-48).
Head Coach: Josh Newman (Arizona State, 1996). Sixth season at Arkansas-Fort Smith (102-54, .654); sixth season overall (102-54, .654)
Lion Key Players:
• Shawn Grant (Jr., G): 55 points (11.0 avg.), .526 FG pct., .519 3FG pct., 15 reb. (3.0 avg.), 10 ast.
• Djordje Stojanovic (Jr. F): 55 points (13.8 avg.), .500 FG pct., .412 3FG pct., 21 reb. (5.3 avg.).
• Kelson Stewart (Sr., G): 52 points (10.4 avg.), .383 FG pct., .478 3FG pct., 19 reb. (3,8 avg.).
• Jake Toupal (So., G): 43 points (14.3 avg.), .514 FG pct., 9 reb. (3.0 avg.), 5 ast., 5 stl.
• Wayne Jackson (Sr., F): 48 points (9.6 avg.), .514 FG pct., 51 reb. (10.2 avg.), 4 stl.
Series Information: Saturday's game marks the first meeting between A&M-Commerce and Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Hambrick Becomes Lions All-Time Three-Point Leader
Senior Brad Hambrick has been a constant in the Lion lineup for the past three seasons, and in the season opener of his fourth season in an A&M-Commerce uniform, he cemented his legacy in the Lion record book. Hambrick came into the season tied with Kevin Widemond (2006-08) for first all-time in career three-pointers made at 167, then moved squarely into first place with his three in the opening half at Southern Arkansas. Hambrick then added three more three-pointers at Drury, upping his career total to 171 out of 443 attempts (38.6 percent).
King Notches Third Career Double-Double
Despite the loss at Drury on Saturday night, senior Desmond King had a productive night for A&M-Commerce, finishing with a game-high 23 points and a career-best 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and the third of his A&M-Commerce career. King, the 2011-12 LSC Preseason Player of the Year, eclipsed the 20-point plateau for the seventh time as a Lion after recording a pair of double-doubles last year at Abilene Christian (25 points, 10 rebounds) and at Tarleton State (13 points, 10 rebounds).
Whitley Provides Spark on Opening Weekend
Junior Preston Whitley had a solid opening weekend for the Lions, posting a team-high 14 points with seven rebounds in the season-opening victory over Southern Arkansas, then followed that up with a six-point, four-rebound performance at Drury. Whitley currently ranks second on the Lions in rebounds per game (5.5) and three-point percentage (40.0) while sitting third in points per game (10.0) and assists per game (2.0).
Walker Impressive in Lion Debut
Sophomore guard Devondrick Walker had an impressive opening weekend in his Lion debut, recording double-digit point totals in both of A&M-Commerce's games. Walker notched 11 points, three rounds and a pair of steals in 26 minutes in his Lion debut at Southern Arkansas, then posted 14 points, three boards and a block in 21 minutes of work at Drury. A transfer from Northwest Oklahoma State, Walker ranks second on the team in points per game (12.5) and is fifth in rebounds per game (3.0).
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