LIONS LOOK TO REBOUND FACING MIDWESTERN STATE, CAMERON
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern State (10-4, 6-1 LSC) | 34 | 32 | 66 |
| A&M-Commerce (10-5, 3-2 LSC) | 33 | 41 | 74 |
| Commerce, TX (The Field House) | |||
| Midwestern State | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|
| Pts: WILLIAMS, Monzaigo - 22 | Pts: Preston Whitley - 28 |
| Reb: THOMAS, Corbin - 14 | Reb: 2 Players (#05, #22 - 6) |
| Ast: WILLIAMS, Monzaigo - 6 | Ast: Stefon Carson - 5 |
| Team Statistics | Midwestern State | A&M-Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 38.0% (27-71 ) | 40.7% (22-54 ) |
| Rebounds | 53 | 32 |
| Assists | 18 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 13 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 20 | 20 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 15 | 6 |
| Pts in the Paint | 28 | 22 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 10 | 13 |
| Bench Pts | 9 | 7 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&M-Commerce (10-6 (3-3 LSC)) | 28 | 23 | 51 |
| Cameron (9-5 (5-3 LSC)) | 33 | 32 | 65 |
| Lawton, OK (Aggie Gymnasium) | |||
| A&M-Commerce | Cameron |
|---|---|
| Pts: Preston Whitley - 15 | Pts: D THOMAS,Andrew - 19 |
| Reb: Andrew Davis - 8 | Reb: 2 Players (#20, #25 - 7) |
| Ast: Tyrie Wooten - 6 | Ast: FOSTER,Craig - 8 |
| Team Statistics | A&M-Commerce | Cameron |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 28.8% (17-59 ) | 42.1% (24-57 ) |
| Rebounds | 40 | 34 |
| Assists | 12 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 3 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 6 | 18 |
| Pts in the Paint | 18 | 20 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 4 |
| Bench Pts | 12 | 22 |
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Midwestern State Mustangs
Wednesday, January 9 • 7:30 p.m.
The Field House • Commerce, Texas
Records: A&M-Commerce (9-5, 2-2 LSC); Midwestern State (10-3, 6-0 LSC)
A&M-Commerce Lions at Cameron Aggies
Saturday, January 12 • 4:00 p.m.
Aggie Gymnasium • Lawton, Okla.
Records: A&M-Commerce (9-5, 2-2 LSC); Cameron (7-5, 3-3 LSC)
Live Video: LionAthletics.com (powered by Stretch Internet)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (listen online at KETR.org)
Live Statistics: LionAthletics.com
Twitter Updates: @Lion_Athletics
A&M-Commerce Weekly Game Notes (PDF)
Opening Tip
A&M-Commerce looks to snap its two-game losing streak with a pair of challenging Lone Star Conference matches. The Lions open up with a rematch of last season's LSC quarterfinal, facing Midwestern State at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Field House. A&M-Commerce then makes the trip north to Lawton, Okla., taking on Cameron at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Lions on the Web
Stay up to date with every Lion basket this week as head coach Sam Walker looks to become the all-time winningest coach in program history. Both games against the Mustangs and Aggies will be broadcast live on KETR 88.9 FM with Charlie Chitwood on the call, while also streaming live online at KETR.org. The game Wednesday against Midwestern State will be streamed live at LionAthletics.com, powered by Stretch Internet, with live stats of both games available at LionAthletics.com as well. Twitter users can also get in-game updates by following @Lion_Athletics.
Walker Remains One Victory Away From All-Time Wins Record
A&M-Commerce Sam Walker continued to etch his name in program history as with the Lions' 96-88 victory at Southern Arkansas on December 19, 2012, Walker notched his 201st career victory, tying Jim Gudger (1969-83) as the all-time winningest coach in program history, spanning all sports. Walker, who has the fourth-highest winning percentage among Lion head coaches (.571) with at least 50 victories, came to Commerce as an assistant coach in 1992 and served as an assistant under Paul Peak for eight years before being named head coach prior to the 2000-01 season.
Scouting the Mustangs
2012-13: 10-3 overall, 6-0 Lone Star Conference (1st), 6-2 road
Last Three Games: W at Angelo State (65-55), W at Abilene Christian (72-71), W at Eastern New Mexico (82-53)
Head Coach: Nelson Haggerty (Baylor, 2000). Second season at Midwestern State (39-7, .848)
Key Players:
• #5 Keith Spellman (So., G): 159 pts. (13.3 ppg), 40.2 FG%, 35.8 3FG%, 66.7 FT%, 38 reb., 16 ast.
• #34 Corbin Thomas (Sr., F): 172 pts. (13.2 ppg), 55.7 FG%, 62.9 FT%, 107 reb., 16 blk.
• #3 Kevin Grayer (Sr., G): 148 pts. (11.4 ppg), 46.2 FG%, 37.5 3FG%, 74.5 FT%, 60 reb., 29 ast., 21 st.
• #00 Monzaigo Williams (Jr., G): 146 pts. (11.2 ppg), 42.2 FG%, 31.9 3FG%, 73.3 FT%, 35 reb., 68 ast.
• #24 Cam Adderley (Jr., G): 81 pts. (6.2 ppg), 40.2 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 59 reb., 12 stl.
Synopsis: Midwestern State, the reigning Lone Star Conference champions, has picked up where it left off last season, sitting at 10-3 overall and 6-0 in LSC play, sitting atop the conference standings. Wednesday marks the end of a four-game road swing for the Mustangs, notching wins over Eastern New Mexico (82-53), Abilene Christian (72-71) and Angelo State (65-55). Midwestern State has won four-straight and seven of their last eight on the season.
Series Information: A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State renew one of the longest-standing rivalries in Lion history, meeting for the fourth time in just over a calendar year and the 78th time overall. The Mustangs hold a 46-31 lead in the all-time series and have won 10-straight against A&M-Commerce, dating back to the 2004-05 season. Wednesday marks the seventh meeting in the last three seasons between the Lions and Mustangs as head coach Sam Walker has posted a 4-15 record against Midwestern State, including a 2-6 mark at the Field House.
Scouting the Aggies
2012-13: 7-5 overall, 3-3 Lone Star Conference (3rd), 4-0 home
Last Three Games: W at Abilene Christian (65-59), W vs. Angelo State (92-72), L vs. Rollins (76-88)
Head Coach: Wade Alexander (East Central, 2001). Fifth season at Cameron (63-57, .525)
Key Players:
• #3 Craig Foster (Jr. G): 193 pts. (16.1 ppg), 47.4 FG%, 41.3 3FG%, 78.3 FT%, 32 reb., 64 ast., 21 stl.
• #2 Tim Johnson (Jr., G): 119 pts. (9.9 ppg), 52.6 FG%, 70.0 FT%, 38 reb., 41 ast.
• #40 Andrew Thomas (Sr., F): 86 pts. (7.2 ppg), 47.5 FG%, 76.9 FT%, 41 reb., 11 ast.
• #25 Rudy Harrell (Sr., F): 81 pts. (6.8 ppg), 64.0 FG%, 60.7 FT%, 50 reb., 11 ast.
• #13 Jonathan Patino (Jr., G): 79 pts. (6.6 ppg), 45.8 FG%, 29.6 3FG%, 68.0 FT%, 60 reb., 21 ast.
Synopsis: Cameron enters the weekend with a 7-5 record and a 3-3 mark in Lone Star Conference play as the Aggies travel to Tarleton State Wednesday evening. The Aggies have won four of their last five games, including LSC victories over Angelo State (92-72) and Abilene Christian (65-59) and sit in third place in the conference standings after winning their last three LSC games.
Series Information: Saturday marks the 46th meeting between A&M-Commerce and Cameron as the Lions hold a 23-18 edge in the all-time series. A&M-Commerce defeated Cameron 76-69 at the Field House last season, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Aggies, as the Lions are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings against Cameron. Head coach Sam Walker has found success facing the Aggies, posting a 14-5 mark against Cameron, including a 6-3 record at Aggie Gymnasium.
The Week That Was
A&M-Commerce was looking for a fast start as the calendar rolled over to 2013, but the Lions stumbled out of the gate, dropping a pair of LSC contests to Incarnate Word and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Against the Cardinals, A&M-Commerce fell behind by 23 points midway through the first half and never recovered, dropping an 86-75 decision at the Field House. Five players scored in double figures for the Lions, led by 16 from Jason Smith and 15 from Preston Whitley. Against the Javelinas it was a similar story as A&M-Commerce struggled early, falling behind by nine in the first half. The Lions rallied to take the lead midway through the second, but A&M-Kingsville hit the key shots at the critical times to take the 75-69 decision. Whitley once again led A&M-Commerce, finishing with 21 points, complemented by 12 from Stefon Carson.
Walker Reaches 200th Career Victory
A&M-Commerce Sam Walker solidified his place among the all-time coaching greats in Commerce, notching his 200th career victory with a 92-62 rout of Dallas Baptist on December 15, 2012. Walker, who is currently tied with former head coach Jim Gudger (1969-83) as the all-time winningest coach in program history, has coached 32 All-LSC selections, including nine first team honorees. He has also helped his Lions succeed both in the classroom and in the community, helping build a tradition-rich program at A&M-Commerce.
Walker's Career Coaching Milestones
• Win #1: November 18, 2000 • A&M-Commerce 99, Ouachita Baptist 90
• Win #25: February 9, 2002 • A&M-Commerce 71, Eastern New Mexico 70
• Win #50: January 8, 2004 • A&M-Commerce 58, Northeastern State 57
• Win #100: February 22, 2006 • A&M-Commerce 82, Cameron 80
• Win #150: December 5, 2009 • A&M-Commerce 66, Ouachita Baptist 59
• Win #200: December 15, 2012 • A&M-Commerce 92, Dallas Baptist 62
Ryan Ivey Named A&M-Commerce Athletic Director
An exciting day on the A&M-Commerce campus transpired on Monday, January 7, 2013 when University President Dr. Dan Jones introduced Ryan Ivey as the Lions' new Athletic Director. Ivey comes to Commerce after spending five and a half seasons at McNeese State University, spending the last two as the Associate Athletic Director. Ivey also has experience at the University of Memphis and the University of South Dakota as well as within minor league baseball. A former football player at Memphis, Ivey helped the Tigers to a pair of bowl games while earning both his bachelor's (sports management) and master's (sport and leisure commerce) degrees from the University of Memphis. Ivey officially begins his duties overseeing A&M-Commerce's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams on Monday, January 14, 2013.
A&M-Commerce Remains LSC's Top Scoring Threat
With the calendar changing to 2013, A&M-Commerce continues to rank among the Lone Star Conference leaders in a number of categories. As a team, the Lions lead the LSC in points per game (79.0), free throw percentage (68.3%), three-point percentage (38.2%) and defensive rebounds per game (26.9). A&M-Commerce also sits second in rebounds per game (38.6), assists per game (15.5) and steals per game (8.0) while ranking fourth in field goal percentage (46.3%).
Lions Among Lone Star Conference Top-10
With the 2012-13 season back in full swing, a number of Lions continue to make their marks on the Lone Star Conference leaderboard. Six different A&M-Commerce hoopsters rank among the individual top-10 in 10 different categories, led by Andrew Davis, who ranks first in defensive rebounds, third in rebounds per game and fifth in field goal percentage. Jason Smith and Preston Whitley join Davis in ranking among the top-10 in three different categories while Devondrick Walker checks in twice. Stefon Carson and Tyrie Wooten round out the six Lions that rank among the LSC leaders.
Looking Ahead
After following the Wednesday-home, Saturday-road routine for the past two weeks, A&M-Commerce switches things up next week, beginning with a road trip to West Texas A&M, battling the Buffs on Wednesday, January 16. The Lions then return home for a Saturday matinee showdown with Eastern New Mexico on January 19, tipping off against the Greyhounds at 4 p.m. at the Field House. Full coverage of every Lion basketball game (video, audio, stats, Twitter updates) are available at LionAthletics.com.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
