FORT SMITH, Ark. – No. 22-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce used two big runs in the first half to build a 20-point halftime advantage and went on to defeat the Rogers State men's basketball team by a score of 74-60 on Friday (Dec. 15) at the Stubblefield Center on the first day of the UAFS Holiday Classic.
 
After a quick start from the Hillcats, Commerce put together runs of 12-0 and 8-0 to gain a 44-24 halftime lead, and the navy and red couldn't erase the large hole in the second half as the Lions earned the 14-point victory.  

RSU took an 8-6 edge on a Gage Loy jumper as the senior forward scored all eight of the Cats' points to start the game, but the Lions responded with a 12-0 run over nearly seven minutes to pull out to an 18-8 lead. Commerce did most of its damage during the run from the free throw line, totaling seven of the 12 points from the charity stripe.
 
After Gabriel Ferreira scored on a layup for a 25-17 score with 8:03 left before halftime, Commerce used another run, this time an 8-0 spurt, to push the margin to 33-17 at the 4:08 mark. The run was capped by a Reggie Reid 3-pointer.
 
The Lions got hot from 3, hitting two more before halftime, to go into the break up by 20 at 44-24.
 
In the second half, RSU tried to rally, but the closest the Cats could get was the 14-point final margin.
 
Commerce shot 48 percent (24-50) from the field and 42.9 percent (9-21) from 3. The Lions outscored the Cats by 10 at the free throw line as they went 17-of-21 for 81 percent. RSU finished 7-of-10 from the line for 70 percent.
 
For the game, the navy and red went 22-of-52 from the field for 42.3 percent. RSU continued to knock down shots from 3, going 9-of-20 for 45 percent. However, the 60 points were a season low.
 
Loy posted a career-high 16 points as the senior from Wichita, Kan. hit four 3-pointers. He was the lone Hillcat in double figures. Chase Littlejohn added nine points on three 3-pointers.
 
Commerce put three players in double figures with Reid leading the way with 16 points, and he added a game-high seven rebounds. Coming off the bench, Srdan Budimir went for 15 points, and Willie Rooks registered 14 points.
 
The Hillcats end the UAFS Holiday Classic with a game against Ouachita Baptist tomorrow (Dec. 16) at 3 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center. Live stats and live audio will be available with RSU Assistant Athletic Director Steve Braun on the call.