HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — Texas A&M-Commerce edged Southeastern Louisiana 70-69 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at University Center. Both teams, nicknamed Lions, were tied 33-33 at halftime before the visitors secured the narrow Southland Conference victory. Ronnie Harrison led Texas A&M-Commerce with 16 points. Isaiah Gaines scored 17 points for Southeastern Louisiana, and Jeremy Elyzee added 15 points and three blocks. Texas A&M-Commerce improved to 6-5. Southeastern Louisiana fell to 4-7. An announced crowd of 371 attended.

HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — In a tense Southland Conference clash between two teams sharing the Lions nickname, it was the visiting pride from Texas A&M-Commerce that secured a dramatic 70-69 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Monday night at the University Center. The game was decided in the final five seconds. With the score tied at 69 and the clock winding down, Texas A&M-Commerce guard Damian Garcia found forward Ronnie Harrison on the left baseline. Harrison, a 6-foot-8 junior from Forney, Texas, rose and connected on a smooth jump shot with just five seconds remaining to put his team ahead. Southeastern Louisiana had one final chance. Following a timeout, the inbound pass found Jeremy Elyzee, but his contested 3-point attempt from the top of the arc as time expired missed, sealing the narrow road win for Texas A&M-Commerce. The contest was a back-and-forth affair characterized by runs and resilient responses. Texas A&M-Commerce built an early lead behind efficient shooting, connecting on 10 of 21 attempts from 3-point range for the game. Southeastern Louisiana countered with a significant advantage in interior defense, blocking six shots, and on the glass, where they secured nine offensive rebounds. Both teams entered halftime knotted at 33. The second half saw 10 lead changes and six ties, with neither squad able to establish a commanding advantage. Southeastern Louisiana’s Isaiah Gaines, a 6-foot-8 forward from Pensacola, Florida, was a force inside, finishing with 17 points, three assists and three blocks. His teammate, Jeremy Elyzee of Hialeah, Florida, added 15 points, two assists and three blocks. For Texas A&M-Commerce, Harrison led the way with 16 points, including the decisive basket. Guard Vinny Sigona of Plano, Texas, provided crucial perimeter scoring, also netting 16 points, all of which came on three-pointers or free throws. Gianni Hunt contributed 10 points and four assists. The game was a study in contrasting efficiencies. Texas A&M-Commerce scored its 70 points on 66 possessions, while Southeastern Louisiana needed only 64 possessions to score its 69 points, resulting in a slightly higher offensive rating for the home team. However, the visiting Lions won the turnover battle, committing 11 to Southeastern Louisiana’s seven, and were more accurate from the field, shooting 45.1% compared to 41.4%. The victory improved Texas A&M-Commerce’s season record to 6-5 overall and marked a bounce-back performance after a 102-66 loss at McNeese State just three days prior. Southeastern Louisiana, which was coming off an overtime road win at Houston Christian, fell to 4-7. The pregame metrics heavily favored the home team, with national statistical models giving Southeastern Louisiana an 82.8% probability to win as a 4.5-point favorite. Texas A&M-Commerce will next travel to face Texas A&M on Sunday. Southeastern Louisiana heads to Baton Rouge for a matchup with LSU on Friday.

HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — A pair of Lions will clash in a Southland Conference men’s basketball matchup Monday night when Texas A&M-Commerce visits Southeastern Louisiana at the University Center. Both teams enter with identical 0-1 records in league play, seeking their first conference win. Texas A&M-Commerce (5-5) is looking to rebound from a 102-66 road loss at McNeese State on Friday. Southeastern Louisiana (4-6) arrives with momentum after a 74-71 overtime victory at Houston Christian on Saturday. The visiting Lions are led by guard Noah Pagotto, who is coming off a season-high 18-point performance in the loss to McNeese State. Over his last three games, Pagotto is averaging 9.7 points. He will be a key factor for a Texas A&M-Commerce squad that has struggled on the road, with all five losses coming away from home, including defeats to power conference opponent Connecticut and a 36-point setback at McNeese. Southeastern Louisiana has faced its own challenges, particularly in non-conference road games against high-major opponents like Mississippi, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. Their recent overtime win, however, demonstrated resilience. The home Lions have shown an ability to defend their court, boasting a 3-1 record at the University Center this season. This game represents a crucial early opportunity in the Southland standings. For Texas A&M-Commerce, it is the start of a difficult two-game road swing before a return home. For Southeastern Louisiana, it is the final home contest before a daunting trip to LSU on Friday. The matchup features two teams with similar profiles seeking stability. Texas A&M-Commerce will aim to tighten its defense after allowing triple digits in its last outing, while Southeastern Louisiana looks to build on its latest hard-fought win. Tipoff is set for Monday, Dec. 15, in Hammond.