TAMUC – Sports

 

Lions close out the first day of Rattler Invitational with positive momentum after a rocky start.

SAN ANTONIO – After a rough opening round to start the spring season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s golf team recovered will in the second round of the St. Mary’s Rattler Invitational at the Dominion Country Club. The Lions sit in 12th place after 36 holes of action in the opening event of the spring calendar.

The Lions shot 612 (314-298, +36) on the par 72, 6,906-yard layout. Host institution St. Mary’s leads the event.

“After a tough first round for the team, we found a way to grind out a solid second round,” said head coach Matt Ward. “We improved by 16 strokes, with all five players improving on their first round.

“I’m proud of the way the guys battled the entire day. They showed a lot of grit and determination and put themselves in a position to make a significant jump again tomorrow. If we can putt a little better tomorrow, we should be able to move into the top seven or eight in the field. Overall, I’m happy with how the guys responded to their first round. They could have easily given up, but they worked hard and played much better in round two.”

Lucas McCubbin (Midland) leads the Lions at 1-over par 145 (73-72), sitting in seventh place on the individual leaderboard. He scattered seven birdies throughout his two rounds Monday.

Zach Burch (Lubbock – Cooper) is in 49th place at 154 (80-74). He had eight birdies in his two rounds and had no holes worse than a bogey in the second round.

Blake Hartford (Spring – Klein Collins) is in 59th place at 156, Garrett Landers (Sulphur Springs) is in 70th place at 160, and Joe Wolcik (Cleveland – Tarkington) is in 75th place at 163.

The Lions complete the Rattler Invitational with 18 holes of action on Tuesday.

Rank	Team	Scores		Total	Par
1.	St. Mary’s	293	288	581	+5
2.	Southeastern Oklahoma St.	296	294	590	+14
3.	Oklahoma Christian	296	295	591	+15
	Western N.M.	294	297	591	+15
5.	MSU Texas	301	298	599	+23
	Southwestern Oklahoma St.	309	290	599	+23
7.	Arkansas-Fort Smith	295	306	601	+25
8.	Dallas Baptist	298	306	604	+28
9.	Lubbock Christian	302	303	605	+29
10.	Texas A&M International	297	312	609	+33
11.	Northeastern State	305	305	610	+34
12.	A&M-COMMERCE	314	298	612	+36
13.	Cameron	296	317	613	+37
14.	St. Edward’s	305	312	617	+41
15.	West Texas A&M	300	319	619	+43
16.	Indianapolis	304	316	620	+44
17.	Regis	315	315	630	+54

A&M-Commerce	314	298	612	+36	12th
Lucas McCubbin	73	72	145	+1	t-7th
Zach Burch	80	74	154	+10	t-47th
Blake Hartford	79	77	156	+12	t-58th
Garrett Landers	85	75	160	+16	t-71st
Joe Wolcik	82	81	163	+19	t-77th

 

 

No. 5 Lions complete sweep with a 7-0 shutout of UTPB.

ODESSA– The No. 5 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated UT Permian Basin 7-0 on Saturday afternoon. After both sides went scoreless in the first four innings, the Lions pushed runs across in the final three innings to get the win.

The win brings the Lions to 16-2 on the year and 6-0 in the Lone Star Conference. UTPB falls to 2-12 and 0-3 in league play.

The Lions return home for a Wednesday doubleheader against St. Edward’s. First pitch will be at 3:00 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Complex. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Bri Sims (Rowlett) brought in three runs on a base clearing single in the fifth inning. She also scored a run with two hits.
– Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) drove in the winning run with an RBI double in the fifth. She also scored.
– Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) had a hit and an RBI. Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) and Kynslee Noriega (Kyle – Lehman) also both drove in a run.
– Ta’Lyn Moody (Mansfield – Legacy) had two hits and scored a run. Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) and Ciera Nunez (Amarillo – Randall) both had a single and scored. Kimber Neal (Humble – Atascocita) and Noriega also each scored a run.
– Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out four without a walk. It was her ninth complete game and sixth shutout of the season.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME

On getting the hits, they needed late: “It was a windy one again today. When the wind died down, the bats picked up. That was good to see.”

On getting a shutout performance: “We had another good outing from Otto, and the defense played well behind her. I was proud of our defense today.”

On getting the series sweep: “It was good to go out and get the sweep. We look forward to getting back after it at home on Wednesday against St. Edward’s.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

Windy conditions made things tough on hitters early in the contest. The teams had just one hit apiece in the first two innings. The Lions threatened in the second inning with bases loaded and one out but could not bring the run across.

After giving up an early hit, Otto retired 10 batters in a row. After four complete innings, the teams were still scoreless.

The Lion then broke the game open in the fifth inning. After Nunez and Kilcrease reached base, Schaefer hit a double to score Nunez. With bases loaded, Sims came up to the plate and singled into left. Two runs scored and another came across on a wild throw from the outfield. The Lions led 4-0 after five innings.

The Lions brought another run across in the sixth as Noriega walked and was put in scoring position by Nunez. Kilcrease hit a sacrifice fly to bring the baserunner across. The Lions added two more runs in the seventh. The Lions loaded the bases with no outs as the first three batters reached. Noriega and Muro both then brought in runs on groundouts. The Lions led 7-0. Otto struck out the final batter to earn the shutout.

 

 

Late run thwarts Lions’ chances in 81-69 loss to No. 4 West Texas A&M.

COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team lost 81-69 against No. 4 West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon. The game was back and forth for the majority before a late run by the Buffaloes put them over the top.

The loss brings the Lions to 20-6 on the season and 12-4 in the Lone Star Conference. WT improves to 27-3 and 16-1 in league play.

The Lions return to action on Thursday as they play the final two games of the regular season. The Lions head to Odessa to face UT Permian Basin at 7:30 p.m. The game will be played at UTPB Gymnasium.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Four Lions finished in double figures. Senior Willie Rooks (Houston – North Forest) co-led the team with 16 points and also had a double-double with 11 rebounds. He also led the team with five assists.
– Senior Trey Conrod (Kilgore) also had 16 points and pulled in six rebounds.
– Carson Tuttle (Mukilteo, Wash.) had 12 points and four assists. Deonta Terrell (Chicago, Ill.) also scored in double figures with 11 points.
– A 14-0 run by WT late in the second half put the Buffaloes ahead for good in the game.

HEAD COACH JARET VON ROSENBERG AFTER THE GAME

– On the team’s play: “We did not play very well. Give them credit. But we just didn’t execute. We executed defensively a little bit but our offense wasn’t good enough to beat a really good team.”

– On WT’s run in the second half: “I think we did a good job in the half court defensively. We held them under 40 percent in the first half. But they went a little nuts in the second half. We went on a quick SPURT of not doing well offensively, and they took advantage of it.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was back and forth to begin the game. The lead changed hands three times in the early going. After four minutes of play, the teams were deadlocked at nine. WT pushed its lead to five before the Lions then battled back. Midway through the half, the Lions trailed by two points.

WT pushed its lead up again before the Lions hit a pair of triples, one by Conrod and one by Rooks, to regain the lead at the seven-minute mark. The point changed hands a couple times again down the stretch before a late three by Rooks sent the Lions into halftime with a 36-35 lead.

Rooks had a double-double in the first half with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Conrod added eight while Terrell had seven.

WT took the lead early in the second half and would not relinquish it the rest of the contest. WT build its lead back up to six twice before the Lions stormed back each time to cut the deficit to just one point. With 13 minutes to play, the Lions trailed 47-46.

The Buffs then went on a 14-0 run throughout two and a half minutes, a series that would prove to put the game too far out of reach for A&M-Commerce. After trailing by 18, the Lions cut the lead to 10 points with three minutes to play but could not get any closer.

 

 

Lions fall 71-60 to No. 17 West Texas A&M in the final home contest of the season.

COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball team fell 71-60 to No. 17 West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon. After three tight quarters, the Lions went cold in the final quarter.

The loss drops the Lions to 17-9 on the season and 12-6 in the Lone Star Conference. The Lady Buffs improved to 23-3 and 15-3 in conference play.

The Lions return to action in the final week of the regular season on Thursday against UT Permian Basin. The game will be played at 5:15 p.m. at UTPB Gymnasium in Odessa.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– In the final home game of her career, senior Princess Davis (Shreveport, La.) tied her season-high with 21 points.
– Senior Ekaterina Zhibareva (Liske, Russia) scored four and had two assists and two blocks.
– Chania Wright (DeSoto) had 16 points and four rebounds.
– Alexis Bryant (Pflugerville) added eight points. Agang Tac (Garland – Sachse) led the team with six rebounds.
– The Lions shot 54 percent in the first half but ended the game with a 38 percent field goal percentage.
– The Lions caused 20 turnovers while only giving up 10. WT had 27 second-chance points.

HEAD COACH JASON BURTON AFTER THE GAME

On the senior’s playing their final home game: “Today it isn’t as hard because we’ve got a lot of basketball left. We’ve got two on the road next week, and hopefully a long stay in Frisco next week. That’s the fun thing, we’ve still got a lot of basketball left. It was good to see all of Shreveport come out and support Princess, and good to see Kate’s teammates pick her up. Princess picked up right where she left off on Thursday, and she was very impressive.”

On today’s performance: “One thing we talk about is championship level teams take care of the basketball. I thought we really took care of the basketball today. We forced 20 turnovers. We played a good game. We’ve got to do a better job on the boards. We played some good defense and then gave up the offensive rebound. I thought we played at a high level. Our spirits are still high.”

Looking ahead: “We will regroup. Our spirits are still high. I think they know come Frisco, it’s anyone’s game. We’ll be a confident team coming in.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lions struck first on a three-point play from Wright. The Lions scored the first five points of the game. WT answered back and midway through the quarter, the game was tied at seven. The teams traded buckets three times before a late Lion bucket sent A&M-Commerce into the second quarter with a 15-13 lead.

The Lions pushed their lead to four early in the second quarter before WT went on a run to take a one-point lead, which they held at the midway mark of the quarter. WT then started to pull ahead as shots continued to fall. The Lions trailed 38-33 at halftime.

Davis had 14 points at the half to lead the Lions while Wright had eight. The Lions shot 54 percent in the first half, but WT shot 63 percent.

The teams went back and forth to begin the third before WT went on a run to push their lead to nine. Midway through the quarter, WT held a seven-point lead. The Lions went on a run, with Wright making consecutive threes, to cut the WT lead to just one point. Heading into the fourth, the Lions trailed 50-49.

WT made the first two buckets of the final quarter. The Lions struggled from the field in the last quarter, making two shots and being held without a field goal for the final six minutes of the game. WT made its free throws to secure the win.

 

 

Lions earn 20th win of the campaign with 87-78 victory over Eastern New Mexico.

COMMERCE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team picked up its 20th victory of the season with an 87-78 win over visiting Eastern New Mexico in the Field House on Thursday night.

The Lions are 20-5 overall and 12-3 in the Lone Star Conference with the victory, while the Greyhounds fall to 12-12 overall and 9-7 in league play.

A&M-Commerce plays its final home game of the season on Saturday at 4 p.m., hosting No. 4 West Texas A&M for Senior Day and SAAC Make-A-Swish Day. The basketball seniors will be honored before the men’s game, and a special Make-A-Wish Foundation presentation will be made at halftime of the men’s game. Tickets for the doubleheader are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756 or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– The Lions have won 20 games or more in both of head coach Jaret von Rosenberg’s seasons at the helm.
– Five Lions scored in double figures, led by 19 points from Willie Rooks (Houston – North Forest), who also led the team with seven rebounds.
– Trey Conrod (Kilgore) had 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. He went 4-of-6 from three-point range.
– Srdan Budimir (Karadjorjevo, Serbia) scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds.
– Rodney Brown (Beaumont – West Brook) and Wayne Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) each netted 10 points.
– Carson Tuttle (Mukilteo, Wash.) was just short of his first career double-double, scoring eight points and passing out 10 assists.
– The Lions shot 50.8 percent from the field in the game, making 31-of-61 shots. A&M-Commerce connected on 44.8 percent (13-of-29) of its three-pointers and went 6-of-12 from long range in the second half.
– The Greyhounds struggled from deep in the second half, making only 1-of-11 (9.1 percent) of their three-pointers.

HEAD COACH JARET VON ROSENBERG AFTER THE GAME

– On the team’s second-half performance: “That’s a really good Eastern team. They never went away and kept competing. We caught fire to start the second half. I credit our guys for making plays for each other. We got a couple stops. When you get stops and shoot the cover off the ball for five minutes, we were able to establish a lead that they weren’t able to come back from.”

– On the team’s rebounding effort: “We got rebounds from our guards. We did a good job of collectively rebounding. That’s what we always talk about. To beat them on both sides of the glass is a real credit to buying into the game plan. If that is lopsided, this game would have been a lot different.”

– On the team’s defensive effort: “Our defense leads to our offense. When we are taking the ball out of the net and teams can get set, it becomes a lot harder to be efficient offensively. When we are able to flow into offense after stops and long rebounds, we become that much harder to guard with the multiple skill guys we have on the floor.”

– On getting to the 20-win mark for the year: It’s a big deal for these guys to have consecutive 20-win seasons. We are just looking to build on that.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

Long-range shooting boosted the Lions early, as Rooks and Conrod drained three-pointers on the first two possessions of the game for the home team. The teams proceeded to battle back and forth, but a personal four-point run by Deonta Terrell (Chicago, Ill.) put the Lions up seven points at 18-11 with 13:18 left in the first half.

Eastern responded with eight straight points over the next minute and a half, taking a 19-18 lead with 12 minutes left in the opening frame. The Greyhounds would not be able to push their lead to any more than three points in the game. ENMU led 39-38 with just over a minute and a half left in the opening half, but the Lions closed out the frame on fire. Conrod and Budimir canned three-pointers and a late free throw by Conrod gave the hosts a 45-39 lead at the break.

A&M-Commerce carried the hot streak into the second half, making their first six shots in the opening five minutes of the frame. A Rooks layup at the 15-minute mark put the Lions up by 15 points at 60-45.

A 14-2 run in the middle of the half capped by a Rooks triple and a Stewart layup allowed the Lions to take their largest lead of the game at 75-51 with 10:30 left on the clock. Eastern attempted to battle its way back into the contest with long-range shots and risks on fastbreaks, but the Greyhounds couldn’t get the deficit into single digits until the final minute of the game, and the Lions earned the season sweep.

 

 

Lions pull away in second half to down Eastern New Mexico 62-55, Davis moves into third place all-time in scoring.

COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball team defeated Eastern New Mexico 62-55 on Thursday night. After a close first half, the Lions were able to create some distance late to get the win.

The win brings the Lions to 17-8 on the season and 12-5 in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds fall to 18-7 and 13-4 in conference play. The teams split the season series, with each team winning on its home floor.

The Lions return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. against No. 17 West Texas A&M in their final home game of the season. The game will be part of Senior Day as well as SAAC Make-A-Swish Day. The Lion basketball seniors will be honored immediately following the women’s game, and a special Make-A-Wish Foundation presentation will take place at halftime of the men’s game. Tickets for the doubleheader are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756 or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

– Princess Davis (Shreveport, La.) led the Lions with 20 points and added four rebounds and four assists. She moved into third place all-time in career scoring.
– Ekaterina Zhibareva (Liske, Russia) added 11 points and three rebounds. Chania Wright (DeSoto) also scored in double figures with 10 points.
– Alexis Bryant (Pflugerville) and Agang Tac (Garland – Sachse) co-led the team with nine rebounds apiece.

HEAD COACH JASON BURTON AFTER THE GAME

– On the play of his two senior leaders: “I’m really proud of our seniors and how they stepped up tonight. They led the charge for us today, especially Princess Davis. She took over.”
– On the team’s defensive effort: “As a team defensively, we guarded. We played one of our best defensive games of the year tonight. The closer we get to the conference tournament, the less fouls are going to be called. Players have to make plays. You have to play defense, and we did a good job of that today.”

On the team’s energy: “Our team was having fun and was celebrating each other’s success. Our bench energy was tremendous, and that’s what led us to a victory today.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lions got off to a good start, scoring the first two buckets of the game. The Lions were active on the offensive glass early in the game. Both teams struggled from the field soon. Midway through the quarter, the Lions held a 5-4 lead. It was back and forth the rest of the quarter as the point changed hands twice. The Lions took a 13-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Lions pulled ahead by five points after getting some early buckets in the paint. The Greyhounds then went on a 9-0 run as the Lion offense went cold. With four minutes left, ENMU held a 23-19 lead. The Lions ended the quarter on a 7-2 run. Davis hit a late three to send the Lions into halftime with a 26-25 lead.

Davis led all scorers with 11 points in the first half while Zhibareva added six for the Lions. Both teams shot 33 percent in the first half. Stats were even across the board as neither side had a significant advantage in any area in the first half.

It was back and forth again to start the third quarter. The lead changed hands twice, and there were also two lead changes. The Lions then went on a 9-2 run to take a seven-point lead. After ENMU made a three, the Lions went running again, going on an 8-0 run to take a 13-point lead with three minutes left. Mykiel Burleson (Pflugerville) hit two threes in the rally. Heading into the fourth, the Lions led 48-38.

The Lions found the range to begin the fourth, hitting multiple threes. The Lions pushed their lead to 14 points midway through the quarter. ENMU went on a 6-0 run to cut the Lion lead to eight points with two minutes. The Lions made their free throws down the stretch to hold onto the win.

 

 

No. 5 Lions pick up two wins over conference foe UTPB.·

ODESSA– The No. 5 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team picked up two wins against UT Permian Basin on Friday. The Lions won the first game 7-0 and the second game 10-1 in five innings. The Lions hit five home runs throughout the day and had 23 hits between the two games.

The wins bring the Lions to 15-2 on the season and 5-0 in the Lone Star Conference. UTPB falls to 2-11 and 0-2 in conference play.

The teams will meet again on Saturday in the final game of the series. First pitch will be at 1 p.m. at the UTPB Softball Field in Odessa.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAMES

– On the team’s long ball hitting: “We made some good adjustments at the plate. We took the ball where it was pitched, and good things happened. The wind was blowing out as well, which always helps. I was glad to see us get a hold of some pitches today.”

– On the defensive success: “It starts in the circle. Both Katie and Emily did well today. Then the defense behind them made plays. I’m very proud of the way we played tonight.”

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)

– Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) hit a pair of home runs, one in the third and one in the fifth. She had four RBIs in the game.
– Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) hit a solo home run and had two hits. Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods) had three hits.
– Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) hit a solo home run in the fifth inning.
– Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas High) had an RBI single with two hits. Kynslee Noriega (Kyle – Lehman) Allie Thompson (Lindale) and Ciera Nunez (Amarillo – Randall) each scored a run.
– Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched a complete game shutout, striking out seven against just one walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

Aguilar had the lone hit for either team in the first two innings. Otto got out of a jam in the first inning after giving up a pair of walks. After two complete, the game was scoreless.

The Lions got the scoring started in the third inning. With two outs, Kilcrease found a pitch she liked and sent it packing, hitting it over the center field fence. It was another hitless inning for UTPB, and the Lions took a 1-0 lead into the fourth.

After Otto struck out two more in the fourth inning, the Lions broke the game open in the fifth. Schaefer led the inning off with a home run to center. Nunez then singled and scored on Kilcrease’s second dinger of the afternoon. Otto fanned two more in the bottom of the inning, and the Lions took a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning.

The Lions added to their lead in the sixth. Aguilar led off with a single. After two more Lions reached base, Kilcrease brought in another run on a sacrifice fly. Otto struck out another as the Lions retired UTPB in order, taking a 5-0 lead into the seventh.

The Lions added even more in the seventh as Hill led off with a home run and Aguilar hit a single and two walks loaded the bases. Slider singled to bring in another baserunner, and the Lions led 7-0. UTPB loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning, but the Lion defense kept a run from coming across.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)

– Bri Sims (Rowlett) hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning. She had two hits and four RBIs.
– Chealsea Slider doubled and tripled in the game, driving in two runs.
– Madison Schaefer had two hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Jodie Hill also drove in a run.
– Ta’Lyn Moody (Mansfield – Legacy) had three hits and scored three times. Kayla Kilcrease also had two hits and scored twice.
– Serina Aguilar and Ciera Nunez both scored runs.
– Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched the complete game, striking out three while just giving up two hits and only one run.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)

Kilcrease and Moody both reached with singles to lead off the game. Kilcrease scored on a throwing error and Moody scored on a single from Sims. Dean struck out one and forced two ground outs. The Lions led 2-0 after one complete.

UTPB got its lone run of the game in the bottom of the second. After two strikeouts from Dean to lead off, a walk was followed by a single that scored a run. The Lions led 2-1 after two.

The Lions added three runs in the third inning. Moody singled and stole a base. After an error put another runner on, Moody scored on a sacrifice fly from Hill. Schaefer and Aguilar then scored on a triple from Slider while Dean forced three consecutive groundouts in the bottom of the frame. The Lions led 5-1 after three innings.

The Lions added five more runs in the fourth. Schaefer hit a two-RBI double to score Nunez and Kilcrease. Moody and Schaefer then scored on a home run by Sims to send the Lions led 10-1 after four. Dean retired the Falcons in order in the fifth to seal the run-rule shortened game.

Marcus Jensen
Director of Athletic Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce
Office: 903.468.3027 | Mobile: 801.624.8529
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