The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team opened the start of a busy week, breezing past Central Baptist College 76-52 in the Commerce Field House.
The Lions (8-2) shook a sluggish start against a hot shooting Mustang team, that made five of their first six shots, thanks to a 7-0 run. That early momentum gave Commerce the push they needed, as they quickly went on a 19-2 and never looked back.
The Lion defense swarmed CBC most of the night, forcing 10 turnovers in the first 12 minutes. By the end of the contest, Commerce was able to total 21 turnovers into 23 points. Those points were much needed seeing that Commerce only shot 29 percent from beyond the arc in a tough shooting performance.
A&M-Commerce edged out the Mustangs in points in the paint by four at 32-28 and dominated in points off the bench with thirty-four from the Lion bench and just five from Central Baptist.
A couple big difference makers in Monday’s game for the Lions happen to be the two leading scorers for today. Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Tyree Robinson, had an efficient game-high 17 points going 8-for-11 from the field with five rebounds, as well as Deonta Terrell adding 16 points and four rebounds off the bench. Every Lion who saw the floor tonight scored and a special highlight came from freshman guard Carson Tuttle who had an emphatic crossover and bucket from the elbow for his second basket of the night.
Central Baptist College came in to today undefeated out of Conway, Arkansas with hopes of remaining that way, but the Lions were looking to end it. Guard Percell Washington led the Mustangs with 16 points and four rebounds. Teammate Victor Dukes poured in 15 points and six rebounds to add to the scoring for Central Baptist. After starting the game out hot early and holding the lead for the first four minutes, that lead was given up by Central Baptist due to sloppiness with the ball and they were never able to recover or gain a lead again.
With the win today, the Lions are now on a three game win streak. Head Coach Jaret Von Rosenburg and company starting off the season strong, similar to last year when they began the season winning ten straight games before their first loss midway through December.
Next Matchup: The Lions are looking at playing their fourth game in seven days this Thursday, with all of them being in the Commerce Field House. A&M-Commerce will go head to head with Dallas Baptist on Ugly Sweater Night at 7 p.m. in Commerce. The game can be heard on www.ketr.org or 88.9 FM, the Lion Sports Network.