The Texas A&M University-Commerce basketball squads will hit the court running following the Thanksgiving break, both looking to shake off defeats in their most recent outings as they tangle with non-conference foes this weekend.
The A&M-Commerce men will be in Dallas to compete in the Patriot Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by Dallas Baptist University, beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday.
The Lions (1-1) will look to bounce back from an 87-74 loss to Drury on Nov. 19, facing host Dallas Baptist at 7 p.m. Friday and Arkansas-Fort Smith in an afternoon matchup Saturday at 4 p.m.
Desmond King tossed in 23 points to go with a career-best 11 rebounds during the loss to Drury, and Devondrick Walker chipped in a career-high 14 points as the Lions held a 38-31 halftime advantage.
A&M-Commerce had a 54-45 lead midway through the second half but Drury tore off a 20-1 run to take a 10-point lead and used a 13-2 run late in the contest to put the game out of reach.
The Lions will face a DBU squad that is 3-2 this season and had a three-game win streak snapped Monday with an 85-71 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Arkansas-Fort Smith is currently riding a three-game win streak, having notched blowout wins over Ecclesia College (88-48) and Shepherd Tech (123-50) in its most recent action.
The A&M-Commerce women (0-3) will also be on the rebound, hoping to end a season-opening string of losses that includes Monday’s 89-67 home defeat to Ouachita Baptist.
Freshman Devin Oliver pumped in a career-best 17 points to lead the Lions while Ashlee Johnson scored 14 points during her first collegiate start. The Lions were plagued by poor shooting (39 percent) and turnovers (30) throughout the evening.
The Lions will host the Lady Marauders of Central State at 2 p.m. Saturday, another winless team. Central State has opened the season with consecutive losses and begins a stretch of three games in five days Tuesday night.
The A&M-Commerce men and women will begin Lone Star Conference play Wednesday, Nov. 30 against Midwestern State. The Field House will host the women’s game at 6 p.m., followed by the men at approximately 8 p.m.