Nov. 18, 2005

Final Stats

STEPHENVILLE, TX - A&M-Commerce ended their first tournament of the 2005-06 season with a 78-70 loss to the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets Friday night at the Tarleton Tip-Off Classic.

Seniors Jermart Miller and Kevin Walker sunk in three pointers to spark up the Lions offense in the final half, but A&M-Commerce could not hold on. Miller's three came in at an opportune time with 7:30 on the clock to bring the Lions within seven, which allowed the offense to score a pair of field goals and cause two fouls for four points for a one point deficit. Walker's was made at 3:06 to put the Lions within two and a chance to gain the lead, but a slew of turnovers did not give them the chance to catch up.

At the half, the Lions walked into the lockerroom with a 40-34 lead over the Yellow Jackets. They led as many as 11 points in the first half and never trailed HPU.

The Yellow Jackets came close before the half, when Jamarcus Johnson layed in a three to put them within four, but Jermart Miller put their expectations to a halt scooping in a shot right at the buzzer to extend the lead. It was the second buzzer beater at the Tip-Off Classic the Lions sunk in to give them a comfortable lead at the half.

Leading the way for A&M-Commerce were Jermart Miller who scored 15 points and Kevin Walker with 13. Senior Nick Goellner posted a career high as a Lion with 13 rebounds. The most the Rockwall, Texas, native recorded was 11, against SOSU on March 1 of last season.

A&M-Commerce will return to Commerce for their home opener Nov. 22 against Southern Arkansas. Tip-Off is scheduled for 7 p.m.