Nov. 22, 2005

Final Stats

COMMERCE, TX - In their first home game of the season, the Lions went up against Southern Arkansas for the 22nd time since the inception of the program. A&M-C tied the overall series at 11-11 defeating the Muleriders 65-62, in a game that was decided in the final seconds.

SAU's Ronnie Smith hit both free throws after a foul was called on Lamar Searight to put the Muleriders within a basket, with 17 ticks left on the clock. But a rebound by Chris Fantroy and a foul on Smith, put the Lions back in command with one second left in the game and Fantroy at the line to go up by three. SAU came back with a rebound off the second missed shot of Fantroy's free throw, but the clock became it's worst enemy and the Lions were able to walk away with a victory at home and a 2-1 record for the season.

The Lions led as much as 15 points early in the second half. A&M-Commerce held the Muleriders to one three-point shot and a layup for the first five minutes of the second period, while they went on and scored 12 points to command the lead.

The Muleriders dominated the majority of the first half, taking the lead with as much as eight points, until Jermart Miller hit a three-point shot with 2:06 left to give the Lions a 28-29 score. This allowed the A&M-Commerce offense to open up the flood gates and score nine unanswered points to give them an eight point lead at the half.

Three Lions scored in double figures to lead A&M-C to their second win. Leading the way was junior transfer Lamar Searight, who scored 16 points for the night. Seniors Jermart Miller and Chris Fantroy scored 14 (Miller) and 10 (Fantroy) a piece to make it the third consecutive game that three Lions score in double figures. Fantroy also led the A&M-C in rebounds with seven, while Searight stole the ball six times from the Muleriders.

SAU's Kenny Langhorne led the way for the Muleriders posting14 points and six rebounds. The Muleriders are now 1-2 for the season.

Up next for A&M-Commerce is the St. Mary's Invitational. Their first game is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. against Sterling College in San Antonio, Texas.