COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — Texas A&M-Commerce used a consistent scoring effort to defeat Southeastern Louisiana 70-53 in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Monday at Texas A&M-Commerce Field House. The home Lions led 35-20 at halftime and maintained that 15-point margin by scoring another 35 in the second half. Texas A&M-Commerce shot 51 percent from the floor and dominated inside with 36 points in the paint. Southeastern Louisiana struggled offensively, shooting just 29.3 percent overall. Noah Pagotto led Texas A&M-Commerce with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Gianni Hunt added 15 points and six assists. Jalen Forrest scored 13 points for Southeastern Louisiana, which fell to 8-19. Texas A&M-Commerce improved to 11-17 before an announced crowd of 333.

COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — In a matchup of Southland Conference teams sharing the Lions nickname, it was the home version from Texas A&M-Commerce that roared with consistency and defensive pressure, cruising to a 70-53 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Monday afternoon at Texas A&M-Commerce Field House. The game was effectively decided by a dominant first-half performance from the home Lions, who established a 35-20 lead at the break and never saw their advantage dip below double digits in the second half. Texas A&M-Commerce scored 35 points in each period, showcasing a steady offensive output that Southeastern Louisiana could not match. The most important stretch of the game came early, as Texas A&M-Commerce capitalized on Southeastern Louisiana’s offensive struggles to build an insurmountable lead. After Southeastern Louisiana’s Isaiah Gaines opened the scoring with a layup, Texas A&M-Commerce responded with a 12-2 run, fueled by interior scoring and forced turnovers. Southeastern Louisiana shot a frigid 29.3% from the field for the game, including just 17 made baskets on 58 attempts. That inefficiency, combined with 10 turnovers that Texas A&M-Commerce converted into 15 points, allowed the home team to seize control. Texas A&M-Commerce’s offense was far more efficient, shooting 51% from the floor. They dominated points in the paint, outscoring Southeastern Louisiana 36-18, and also held a 13-3 advantage in fastbreak points. The home Lions also won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Southeastern Louisiana 42-35. Noah Pagotto led Texas A&M-Commerce with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 34 minutes. He was complemented by a balanced scoring attack. Gianni Hunt added 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. Ronnie Harrison scored 14 points and secured seven rebounds, while Damian Garcia and Tay Mosher each chipped in 14 points. Josh Taylor provided a defensive presence with two blocks. For Southeastern Louisiana, which fell to 8-19 overall, Jalen Forrest led the way with 13 points. Jeremy Elyzee added 11 points, and Isaiah Gaines posted seven points and 10 rebounds. The visiting Lions, who now sit at 8-19, were unable to build on a recent stretch that had seen them win three of their previous five games. Texas A&M-Commerce improved to 11-17 with the victory. The win also completed a regular-season sweep for the home Lions, who edged Southeastern Louisiana 70-69 in Hammond, Louisiana, back on Dec. 15. The game drew an announced crowd of 333. Both teams continue Southland Conference play on Saturday. Southeastern Louisiana will host Texas-Rio Grande Valley, while Texas A&M-Commerce will welcome Incarnate Word.

COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — A pair of teams sharing the same nickname and seeking momentum will meet Monday when the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions host the Southeastern Louisiana Lions in a Southland Conference men’s basketball matchup. The game, scheduled for Feb. 16, 2026, at the Texas A&M-Commerce Field House, features two programs looking to climb the league standings in the final weeks of the regular season. Texas A&M-Commerce (10-17, 4-8) holds a slight edge in the overall record over Southeastern Louisiana (8-18, 4-9), but both are coming off difficult losses this past Saturday. Southeastern Louisiana fell 69-66 at Northwestern State despite a career-high 26 points from guard Jalen Forrest. Texas A&M-Commerce was routed 97-54 by conference leader McNeese State at home. Forrest has emerged as a key scorer for Southeastern Louisiana, averaging 15.3 points over his last three games. His performance will be critical for a team that has struggled offensively at times. Texas A&M-Commerce will counter with guard Ronnie Harrison, who has been a consistent force. He is averaging 16.8 points over his last five contests, including a 19-point effort in the loss to McNeese State. The teams’ first meeting this season was a thriller, with Texas A&M-Commerce escaping with a 70-69 road win on Dec. 15, 2025. That result adds an extra layer of intrigue to the rematch, as Southeastern Louisiana seeks revenge on its rival’s home floor. Both squads have found conference play challenging but have shown the ability to secure victories, making this a pivotal game for postseason seeding. Southeastern Louisiana has won two of its last four, while Texas A&M-Commerce had a two-game winning streak snapped in its last outing. With identical mascots and similar records, the matchup promises a competitive battle as each team of Lions fights to improve its position before the Southland Conference tournament.