Lone Star Conference basketball teams will begin in-conference play in December this year, much earlier than in previous seasons. The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's and women's squads will face Cameron today at the Field House in Commerce. The women will tip off at 11 a.m., with the men set to play around 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on KETR-88.9 FM and KETR.org.
Both Lions teams have both been tabbed to finish fifth in the LSC preseason polls.
Men:
Starting 5
Front Court
G - Trey Seymore (16.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 4apg)
F - Dorian Armstrong (10ppg, 7.3rpg, 2apg)
G - Malik Albert (18.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 3apg)
Back Court
G - De’Andre Carson (8ppg, 1.2apg)
G - Jovan Austin (9.7ppg, 2.2apg)
The men’s team is entering its 17th season under head coach Sam Walker. A&M-Commerce returns five lettermen with a reloaded squad for 2016-17.
The Lions have begun the season with six consecutive victories, most recently a 94-91 win over Colorado State-Pueblo on Nov. 26. A&M-Commerce led by as many as 16 in the first half and had to make clutch buckets down the stretch to get the win after CSU-Pueblo made a second-half comeback. The Lions are off to their best start since the 2013-14 season.
Women:
Starting 5
Front Court
F - Artaejah Gay (12.7ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5bpg)
F - Brianna Wise (10.7ppg, 6.2rpg)
Back Court
G - Khala Riley (11.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 3apg, 1.7spg)
G - Krystal Pickron (10.5ppg, 4.7rpg)
F - Jenna Price (6.0ppg, 4.2rpg)
The Lions are entering their third season under the direction of head coach Jason Burton. Last year, A&M-Commerce posted a 16-13 record and tied for fifth in the conference. The Lions return seven letter-winners, including one of the team's top scorers in Artaejah Gay (12.7 points per game). Gay leads the team in scoring and blocks. However the other top scorer, Princess Davis, will be out for the season due to injury. The Lions will adjust by making Khala Riley (11.5 points per game) the starting point guard. Riley’s leadership will be necessary.
In its last contest, the team earned a 78-73 comeback win in overtime against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Lions fell behind by 17 in the first half but clawed their way back and forced overtime and stole a win from the Savage Storm.
The win brings the Lions to 4-2 on the season.
The Lions will open up conference playing a doubleheader on Thursday against Cameron University at the Field House. Tip-off for the women is at 11 a.m. and men at 1 p.m.
Coach Burton recently spoke about about the Lions' upcoming season.