SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State men's basketball team picked up a big win in its return to the Junell Center, defeating Texas A&M – Commerce 70-56 in a Lone Star Conference makeup game on Tuesday afternoon at Stephens Arena.
 
With the victory, the Rams improve to 6-9 overall and 6-9 in the conference while Commerce falls to 6-6, 6-6 LSC.
 
The Rams had one of the quickest starts to a game all season, jumping out to a 19-6 lead in the first half of the opening period as five different Rams players tallied at least one basket. Devaughn Thomas scored all 11 of his points in the first half, going 4-of-9 from the field.
 
A&M-C kept up the fight, closing the gap with a 7-0 run before coming within five points of the Rams at 25-20.
 
Angelo State exchanged baskets before taking off on a 7-0 run of its own, five points coming from Thomas, and taking a 36-25 advantage into the halftime break.
 
The Rams shot 44 percent from the field while the defense held the Lions to only 33 percent shooting and outrebounded them 45-29. ASU also forced 17 turnovers, scoring 21 points off of those mistakes.
 
In the second half, the Rams kept their lead in double figures for the remainder of the night, scoring 10 straight points midway through to take their largest lead of the night at 24 points.
 
Paul Williams ASU with 15 points while Thomas followed with 11 and Andre Nunley and Kevon Godwin each added 10 points. Burone Edwards finished with a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points while Salisu Yahaya grabbed eight boards on the night.
 
The Rams close up Lone Star Conference play on the road next weekend as they finish the regular season in Laredo, Texas, taking on Texas A&M International beginning Friday, Feb. 26.