COMMERCE, Texas – All five Texas A&M-Commerce starters scored in double figures to lift the Lions to an 82-70 win over Midwestern State here in the Lone Star Conference opener Friday night.
 
The Lions took advantage of 11 MSU turnovers in the first half, then converted just enough free throws to keep to stave off the Mustangs in the second half to improve to 8-1.
 
"We certainly played a lot better in certain ways today," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "We made too many mistakes to create opportunities for them."
 
Senior guard Augustine Ene scored seven of his game-high 20 points in first four minutes of the game as the Lions extended their lead to 17 points with just over 90 remaining in the first half.
 
Overall, the Lions produced 21 points off of Midwestern State's 14 turnovers and connected on 26-of-38 free throws with many of those coming in the final minutes of the game with MSU extending the number possessions.
 
"We didn't go at them in the first half, so we were very timid," Leslie said. "We were fortunate to be within 10 points."
 
MSU clawed its way back to within by scoring the last seven points of the first half, then battled back to within eight points twice in the second half.
 
Senior forward Jermane Carter logged his second collegiate double-double leading the Mustangs with 17 points and 12 rebounds scoring 13 points in the second half.
 
Junior guard Terrell Wilson tallied all but two of his 14 points in the second half.
 
The Mustangs finished the game shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 29.2 percent (7-of-24) from the arc.
 
Carius Key added 15 points for Texas A&M-Commerce with Clashon Gaffney (12 points, four blocked shots), Jarius Roberson (11 points) and Demarcus Demonia (10 points, 12 rebounds) also netting double figures.
 
The Lions shot 47.2 percent from the field and 30 percent (6-of-20) from the arc.
 
Midwestern State suffered its third consecutive loss to fall to 4-8 and endured its eighth straight defeat to the Lions.
 
MSU battles UT Tyler Sunday afternoon at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.