Muleriders Flat against Texas A&M-Commerce
Posted by Houston Taylor on December 9, 2008 · Leave a Comment
By: Houston Taylor
COMMERCE, Texas – Leading from the outset, Texas A&M-Commerce cruised to a 74-53 win over a flat Southern Arkansas team Tuesday at the A&M-Commerce Fieldhouse.
The Muleriders (4-4), who had a three-game winning streak snapped, hadn’t played since a week ago and it showed as the Lions (4-3) jumped out to an 8-0 advantage and held SAU to only 19 first half points. A&M-Commerce went on from a 42-19 advantage at the break and eventually built a 73-46 lead with two minutes left in the game before settling for the final margin.
The Lions’ Deundrae Spraggins posted a double-double to lead all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds. He was 7 of 12 from the floor, including one trey, hit all five free throws, and had three assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action.
A&M-Commerce shot just 38.7 percent (24 of 62) for the game, but went to the free throw line 30 times, hitting 19, to Southern Arkansas’ 4 of 6, and forced 22 turnovers that they converted into 29 points.
The Muleriders were 22 of 53 (41.5) shooting, but hit just 5 of 20 from beyond the arc.
The Lions held a 48-31 rebound advantage, including 22 offensive boards, scoring 19 second-chance points.
Spraggins got help from Cardell Hunter and Ronnie Morgan, who chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Sophomore guards David Noble and Channin Harden scored 13 and 10 points, respectively, to lead SAU. Senior forward Charles Moore had eight rebounds.
A&M-Commerce had a 75-55 win over in Southern Arkansas’ home opener on November 20.
The Muleriders continue on the road this weekend, participating in the Harding Classic in Searcy. They face 15th-ranked North Alabama on Friday at 5:30 p.m., before squaring off against Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
