LIONS FACE MUSTANGS IN LONE STAR CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&M-Commerce (10-17) | 26 | 26 | 52 |
| Midwestern State (24-3) | 19 | 45 | 64 |
| Allen, Texas (Allen Events Center) | |||
| A&M-Commerce | Midwestern State |
|---|---|
| Pts: Brad Hambrick - 18 | Pts: LOYD, Michael - 16 |
| Reb: Desmond King - 10 | Reb: COLBERT, Thomas - 11 |
| Ast: Esteban Arriola - 2 | Ast: LOYD, Michael - 3 |
| Team Statistics | A&M-Commerce | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 25.5% (14-55 ) | 37.9% (22-58 ) |
| Rebounds | 41 | 43 |
| Assists | 3 | 12 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 14 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 9 | 6 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 8 | 16 |
| Pts in the Paint | 14 | 26 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 8 |
| Bench Pts | 22 | 18 |
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Midwestern State Mustangs
Wednesday, February 29 * 8:30 p.m. (Session Two)
Allen Special Events Center * Allen, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (10-16, 5-13 LSC); Midwestern State (23-3, 15-3 LSC)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (online at KETR.org)
Live Video: FoxSportsSouthwest.com
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
A&M-Commerce Game Notes (PDF)
2012 Lone Star Conference Championship Central
Opening Tip
A&M-Commerce extends its 2011-12 season as the Lions head to Allen for the 2012 Lone Star Conference Championships. The eighth-seeded Lions will face top-seeded Midwestern State in the quarterfinals, tipping at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Allen Special Events Center. Tickets for the event are $15 for adults and $10 for students and fans wishing to watch the Lions Wednesday evening need to purchase tickets for Session Two.
Lions On The Web
A&M-Commerce basketball fans unable to make it to Allen can still catch every Lion play. Fox Sports Southwest will stream all games of the tournament at FoxSportsSouthwest.com with links available at LionAthletics.com. J.P. Heath will also call all the Lions' postseason games live on KETR 88.9 FM or online at KETR.org. Live stats will also be available at LionAthletics.com.
Tournament Central
Fans can find all the information they need about the 2012 Lone Star Conference Championships by clicking on the Tournament Central link at LionAthletics.com. The link breaks down the tournament bracket, ticket prices, hotel and restaurant information for the Allen area, parking information and more. There are also a handful of free family events planned throughout the weekend, with all that information also available at the Tournament Central link.
Lion Lone Star Conference Tournament History
A&M-Commerce has a rich history in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, making their 33rd appearance, the most of any other school in the conference, as the Lions will be making their seventh-straight appearance and eighth in the last nine years. The Lions have compiled a 24-29 overall record in the tournament (.453), including three tournament titles (1977, 1978, 2005). A&M-Commerce has made eight tournament finals appearances, the last of which came in 2008 when it fell to Central Oklahoma 72-70. Head coach Sam Walker has taken the Lions to the conference tournament 10 times in his 12 years as head coach, posting an overall record of 5-8 (.384).
Scouting the Mustangs
2011-12: 23-3 overall, 15-3 Lone Star Conference (T-1st). Ranked fifth in this week's NABC Division II men's basketball poll.
Streak: Won One. Last Three Games: W vs. Central Oklahoma (69-48), L at West Texas A&M (60-56), W vs. Eastern New Mexico (79-64).
Head Coach: Nelson Haggerty (Baylor, '00). First season at Midwestern State (23-3, .885).
Mustang Key Players:
• Michael Loyd (Sr., G): 340 pts. (13.1 avg.), 41.3 FG pct., 34.4 3FG pct., 79.0 FT pct., 96 ast., 32 stl.
• Anthony Harris (Jr., F): 250 pts. (11.9 avg.), 47.6 FG pct., 34.5 3FG pct., 101 reb. (4.8 avg.), 26 blk.
• JaMichael Rivers (Jr., G): 278 pts. (10.7 avg.), 40.1 FG pct., 31.5 3FG pct., 81 reb. (3.1 avg.), 51 ast., 28 stl.
• David Terrell (Sr., F): 244 pts. (9.8 avg.), 69.8 FG pct., 157 reb. (6.3 avg.), 21 blk., 42 stl.
• Darrick Thomas (Sr., F): 168 pts. (6.5 avg.), 48.9 FG pct., 134 reb. (5.2 avg.), 14 ast., 21 stl.
Series Information: A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State meet for the third time this season and the 56th time in the overall series as the Lions hold a 31-24 lead in the all-time series. The Mustangs have had the upper hand in recent years, however, winning the last eight games against the Lions and are 9-1 in the last 10 against A&M-Commerce. Midwestern State notched a pair of victories over A&M-Commerce this season, defeating the Lions 65-53 at the Field House on November 30 before taking a 69-50 decision in Wichita Falls on January 25. A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State meet up in the Lone Star Conference quarterfinals for the second-straight year as the Mustangs defeated the Lions 82-67 last season in Bartlesville.
Walker Against the Mustangs: 4-14 overall (.222). 2-6 home, 2-7 road, 1-0 neutral.
Lions Enter Postseason As Conference's Hottest Team
Following a 70-60 home loss to West Texas A&M on February 15, A&M-Commerce's postseason hopes appeared to be all but dead. The Lions were 2-13 in Lone Star Conference play, were winless on the road in league games and hadn't beaten a team outside the state of Texas. But A&M-Commerce caught fire when it mattered most, winning at Eastern New Mexico 67-62 in overtime, beating Abilene Christian 75-72 on the road and then held off Angelo State 83-78 on the final night of the regular season. The Lions' three-game winning streak is the longest of any conference team as A&M-Commerce hopes to maintain its late season surge.
Devondrick Walker Named LSC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Sophomore Devondrick Walker picked up his first Lone Star Conference weekly accolade, being named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week on February 27. Walker led the Lions in scoring in both games last week, scoring 17 points in the win at Abilene Christian before notching a career-high 24 in the win against Angelo State. Walker shot 57.8 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three point range last week, but proved to be most instrumental from the free throw line, hitting 15 of his 16 free throws. Walker also averaged five rebounds per game while dishing out a three assists against the Rams.
King, Davis Earn Academic All-America Honors
Senior Desmond King and junior Andrew Davis have both been named to the Capital One Academic All-America team for men's basketball, announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). King was recognized as a first team Academic All-American while Davis was a third team selection as A&M-Commerce was the only school in the country to have two players among the 15-team honorees. It is the first All-America accolade for both players as each as started 25 of 26 games for A&M-Commerce and rank among the Lone Star Conference leaders in a handful of categories. King and Davis were both named first team Academic All-District, making them eligible for the national team. To be considered for the award, players must be a starter or a significant reserve for their team, have attained at least sophomore status and boast a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above