TAMU-Commerce Rallies in Closing Minutes for 71-69 Victory over Greyhounds
Wilson Leads ENMU with 15 Points, 11 Rebounds

Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. — Senior guard Jermart Miller scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the final 3:36, leading Texas A&M University-Commerce from a six-point deficit into a 71-69 victory over Eastern New Mexico University, in a Lone Star Conference game at Greyhound Arena on Thursday, Dec. 8. Commerce, the defending LSC champion, improved to 8-1 on the season. ENMU fell to 3-4 overall. Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings.

Eastern held a 63-57 advantage prior to Miller’s late-game heroics. It was Miller who pulled off a similar feat at ENMU last year, when he scored 17 points in 2:40 late in the game, as the Lions rallied from an 82-71 deficit for a 97-90 win.

The Greyhounds remained competitive in this year’s rematch despite shooting just 36.4% from the field (28 of 77) and hitting only 6 of 15 free throws. ENMU offset its shooting woes by achieving a 50-35 rebounding edge, with 27 offensive rebounds.

Miller was 9 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 8 on three-point shots. He recorded the go-ahead points on a four-point play with 19 seconds left. He connected on a three-pointer from the left side of the court, then drew a foul against Tristan Largent (Jr., G, Martinsburg, WV/ Garrett College). Miller hit the ensuing free throw, giving the Lions a 70-69 lead. Miller added another free throw with seven seconds to go, after rebounding a missed jumper by Jolen Montoya (Sr., G, Cordova, NM/Neosho County CC).

ENMU had one more chance to win the game, but Largent missed a shot from just outside the three-point line as time expired. The Greyhounds finished the contest 7 of 27 (25.9%) on three-point attempts.

In the first half, Eastern held a 14-11 lead at the 14:38 mark, but TAMU-Commerce scored 11 consecutive points, including nine from Chris Fantroy, to move in front, 22-14. The Hounds cut the margin to four points, 22-18, before falling behind 28-18 on a three-pointer by Kevin Walker with 5:50 remaining in the half.

Eastern trimmed the deficit to six points, 33-27, at the intermission. Joshua Jackson (Fr., G, Madison, WI/Madison West HS) sank a three-pointer with 1:37 on the clock to complete the first-half scoring for both teams.

ENMU shot just 26.2% in the first half (11 of 42). TAMU-Commerce connected on 52.2% of its field goals in the first 20 minutes (12 of 23), but the Lions gave up a 15 offensive rebounds, as the Greyhounds built a 25-20 rebounding margin.

The Hounds tied the game at 37-37, on a free throw by Mikal Monette (Jr., F, Albuquerque, NM/University of New Mexico) with 16:26 left. ENMU moved in front, 39-37, at the 15:00 mark, when Montoya put in a layup.

Four ties and five lead changes resulted in a 52-52 deadlock with 7:38 to go. Stephen Wilson (Jr., G, Heflin, AL/Gadsden State CC) gave ENMU the lead on a free throw with 6:31 left.

Wilson’s charity shot started a 6-1 run, as the Hounds took a 58-53 advantage. ENMU stayed in front the rest of the way, until Miller’s decisive four-point play.

Miller was one of three Lions in double figures. He was joined by Fantroy, who ended the night with 13 points and six rebounds, and by Lamar Searight, who finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Fantroy was 5 of 8 from the field, while Searight hit 4 of 11 field goals and committed nine of Commerce’s 15 turnovers.

Wilson topped the Hounds with 15 points and tied for the game-high with 11 rebounds. He also provided five assists and two steals. He was 6 of 14 from the floor. Ira Cross (Jr., F, Munford, AL/Gadsden State CC) added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Travis Carr (Jr., G, Colorado Springs, CO/Otero JC) chipped in 11 points and five rebounds. Carr was 3 of 6 on three-pointers.

Monette scored nine points for ENMU and tied Wilson and Searight for game rebounding honors with 11. Largent scored five points and led all players with six assists.

The Greyhounds, who have lost three consecutive games, all in LSC crossover action, will play a non-conference game at Greyhound Arena on Saturday, Dec. 10, when they host Oklahoma Panhandle State University (0-8). Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST, following the ENMU women’s game against St. Edward’s University at 5 p.m. MST.