Commerce, Texas

Texas A&M-Commerce senior forward Bobby Joshua scored a career-high 21 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Lions to a 76-67 victory over Northeastern State in Lone Star Conference North Division action on Saturday at the A&M-Commerce Field House.

Joshua scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to pace three Lions in double-figures. Junior guard Leonard Bishop added 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while senior guard Lamar Searight scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out a team-high four assists in the victory.

Senior guard Lamont George scored a team-high 17 points and went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc to pace the Redmen offensive attack. Tyree Hardge scored 12 points for Northeastern State, while Ben Rovenstine and Mike Bontrager each added 10 points apiece.

The Lions battled to a 41-38 first half lead, in a half that featured five ties and seven lead changes.

Neither team could open a lead of any significance through the first seven minutes of play, until Northeastern State went on an 11-2 run to take a 26-19 lead with 9:23 to play in the first half.

The Lions stormed back on the strength of an 11-0 run to recapture the lead, 27-26, with 6:14 remaining in the first frame. A&M-Commerce held the lead for the remainder of the half to take the aforementioned three-point lead into the locker room.

A&M-Commerce dominated the paint in the first period, outscoring the Redmen 18-6 down low, while shooting 46% (15-33) from the floor.

The Lions opened the second half on a 7-2 tear to take a 48-43 lead and never looked back en route to the 76-67 win.

A&M-Commerce shot 48% (29-61) from the floor for the contest and outscored Northeastern State 40-12 in the paint. The Lions also forced 17 Redmen turnovers, which translated into 26 points.

With the win, the Lions move to 11-12 overall and even their Lone Star Conference North Division record at 4-4.

In the loss, Northeastern State falls to 7-14 overall and 2-5 in the LSC North.

The Lions play host to North Division opponent East Central at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the A&M-Commerce Field House. The game will feature the Wesley Imaging $1,000 Shootout Finale and will also be a part of "Night Out at the Field House," where fans can watch the game and eat dinner provided by Sodexho.