COMMERCE – The Angelo State men's basketball team dropped a 75-58 Lone Star Conference decision at Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at the A&M-Commerce Field House.

The Rams (3-5, 1-3 LSC) shot 32 percent and 44 percent from the free-throw line in the loss, while the Lions (7-2, 2-0 LSC) made 77 percent of their free throws and shot 42 percent from the field. Both teams committed 12 turnovers but A&M-Commerce held a 48-41 advantage in rebounds and held a 14-6 advantage on second-chance points.  

“I thought we played hard but we are playing soft around the paint on both ends of the floor,” ASU head coach Fred Rike said. “I told our guys it's like we are flinching with contact. We missed more layups with contact than any game I've ever seen. We have to do a better job of defending the rim and shoot for a higher percentage.”

Dakota Rawls scored a career-high 25 points for the Rams in the loss and was one rebound away from a double-double, while Antonio Dye scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Chris Talkington added eight points and Jovan Austin scored six points in a game where he was limited to 24 minutes of action because of foul trouble.

“I thought Dakota was outstanding and probably played his best game at Angelo State,” Rike said. “If you noticed at halftime, he had five of our six baskets. Antonio made a three and those were the only two guys who made a shot in the first half. We weren't taking bad shots, but we have to be able to make those shots. We missed five or six layups that may have been contested, but they're shots we need to make.”

ASU trailed 32-28 at halftime after pulling to within 12-11 at the 12-minute mark of the first half. The Lions, who lead the LSC in scoring with 77 points per game, fell only two points shy of their season average in improving to 2-0 in conference action. Jason Smith led A&M-Commerce with 19 points and added 12 rebounds, while Stefon Carson added 12 points and six rebounds.

  The Rams return to action on Dec. 17 at Lubbock Christian and will then travel to Odessa to face Texas-Permian Basin on Dec. 19.