Stewart scores 30
A&M Commerce | Basketball
COMMERCE—The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team picked up a thrilling 83-75 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Thursday evening. After trailing by double figures midway through the second half, the Lions made a huge push at the end of the game to get the win.
The win brings the Lions to 11-5 on the season and 7-3 in the Lone Star Conference. UAFS falls to 6-10 and 2-8 in conference play.
The Lions return to action on Saturday at 4 p.m. with a matchup against Oklahoma Christian at the Field House.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After UAFS made the first basket of the game, the Lions took the lead and went on a 9-0 run. The teams then battled back and forth, as the Lions held an eight point lead at the midway mark of the half. However, UAFS then went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 22 with eight minutes left in the half.
It was a battle back and forth for the remainder of the half, as the Lion lead hovered between two points and
six. Grandstaff traded a pair of threes with UAFS as the Lions were neck-and-neck with their competitors. At halftime, the Lions held a 34-32 lead.
The lead changed hands twice in the early parts of the second half as the teams battled. UAFS opened the second half on an 11-2 surge, and a three-pointer at the 17:38 mark gave the guests a 43-39 lead. UAFS continually pulled away through the opening portion of the second half. The guests were ahead by seven points with 12 minutes to play, then exploded for a 7-0 run in just under a minute to go ahead 61-47 with 10:53 to go for their largest lead of the contest.
Over the next five minutes, A&M-Commerce fought back on the strength of Stewart's shooting. He went 5-of-5 from the floor and brought the Lions back to within three points at 67-64 with 5:12 to go on a three-pointer. With the Field House crowd re-energized, it was Moreno's time to shine. He hit a pair of free throws and made consecutive free throws to put A&M-Commerce ahead 68-67 with 3:27 left.
UAFS was able to get back ahead by two points shortly thereafter and had a one-point lead with two minutes to play. Deon Barrett (Lancaster) tied the game up with a free throw and Moreno gave the home Lions the lead for good with a driving layup at the 1:12 mark. A&M-Commerce led by one with just over 30 seconds to play when UAFS failed to box out on a Barrett shot and Stewart jammed home a thunderous putback dunk to put the home side ahead 77-74. UAFS cut the lead to two on a free throw, and on the ensuing inbounds pass, Terrell was flagrantly fouled as he made a basket. He was then fouled on the ensuing play, and that six-point possession allowed A&M-Commerce to seal the come-from-behind victory.