The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team got back to form on Thursday after their first loss in the Field House under Coach Jaret Von Rosenberg this year and only their second loss in the Rosenberg era, sitting at 18-2. The Lions defeated the Cameron Aggies 87-78.
This game featured multiple highlights within this conference battle. Two Lions, Srdan Budimir and Wayne Stewart, came away with career-highs in scoring in the victory. Budimir led all scorers with 24 points, 6-for-7 from three point range, and teammate Wayne Stewart added 21 points off the bench. The duo shot a combined 9-for-13 from distance. Both players shot above 50 percent in the game and Stewart unfortunately fell one rebound short of a double-double. Although one player did come away with a double-double and that was Willie Rooks as he tallied 13 points and twelve rebounds.
A phenomenal sign for the Lions from the production of Stewart as he took full advantage of his minutes with season-high numbers in all categories aside from assists. With the unfortunate departure of Tyree Robinson, the Lions (17-5, 9-3 LSC) have been looking for a player or cast of players to make up for that production. Multiple Lions stepping up to the plate when called upon after it began last time the Lions were in the Field House when Rodney Brown got his first double-double of the season. Freshman guard Carson Tuttle posted a career-high night as well with 12 points as he holds down the fort for an injured Reggie Reid.
The Cameron Aggies (8-14, 4-8 LSC) came into this game 8th in the Lone Star Conference standings and with the loss to Commerce they remain in eighth place. Cameron did not back down in a tough road environment as they kept up with the Lions the entire game including going into halftime tied up at thirty-four a piece. Cameron was led in scoring by senior guard Tyus Momoh with 20 points and his six assists tied the game-high. The Aggies issues primarily came from being dominated in rebounding by Commerce 34-21. Cameron had 13 turnovers, but did shoot above 45 percent from the field and from three point range. The Aggies couldn’t manage to contain the hot hands that came from Budimir and Stewart, along with the complete team effort in the second half where the Lions shot 62.5 percent from the field and three point range.
"He was really good for us,” said coach Rose of the play of Carson Tuttle. “He was +18 and only sat out for about a minute or two. He was really good. He had just one turnover against six assists. He wasn't forcing anything. That is key. He hasn't played any differently than he has played, but when you play 38 minutes, that is when you are going to get shot attempts."
This was the second most threes made by the Lions in the Coach Rose era, team-high is set at twenty which occurred on January 19, 2019 earlier this season when they defeated Eastern New Mexico on the road.
"He looked healthy. That is key,” said coach Rose about Wayne Stewart. “ He was getting off the floor, had a couple dunks. He was on the offensive glass, using his length. Hopefully we can keep him healthy and get him to 100 percent. I think he is a lot closer than he has been all season. It's exciting."
The Lions extend their all-time series lead against Cameron to 33-23 with the win. Commerce now sits at 19-2 in the Field House and remain undefeated when shooting a better percentage than their opponents at 33-0 in the Coach Rose era.
Next Matchup: Lions are back in action tonight in the Field House for “Fill The Field House” set to face MSU Texas beginning at 4 p.m. and you can also tune in at 88.9FM or www.ketr.org, the Lion Sports Network.