KINGSVILLE, Texas – Sparked by an 18-point night from former first-team All-Lone Star Conference pick Reggie Reid, the A&M-Commerce Lions handed the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team a 73-68 defeat on Saturday evening in Lone Star Conference action in Commerce, Texas at the Field House.

Junior Chauncey Thomas (Plano, Texas) reached double figures for the second time in three games, scoring 18, the most by a Javelina in a game this season, to lead the Blue and Gold. Senior Alex Mills (Laurens, S.C.) ended the day with 11 points, a total that include three buckets from beyond the arc. Senior Jacolby Harris (Delray, Fla.) set a new career high with nine rebounds.

Neither team could separate in the first half, as the largest lead for either side was an early 10-4 edge for Commerce that included three from Reid. The Javelinas scored 13 of the next 18 points to grab their first lead at 17-15, with consecutive triples by Chauncey Thomas and Mills capping the rally.

The Lions soon jumped back ahead by two before a Rashon Thomas (Houston, Texas) trey and a three-point play courtesy of sophomore Jamell Bradley (Converse, Texas) pushed TAMUK ahead, 26-22 with 4:39 to play until halftime. The lead was passed back and forth until, with 31 seconds on the clock, Reid canned his second three of the day, allowing the Lions to lead 37-34 at the half.

The first half included eight ties and six lead changes and both teams shot 41 percent from the floor. Commerce was awarded 14 free throws compared to six for the Javelinas, but the Hogs outrebounded their hosts, 24-13.

The Lions quickly scored the first three points of the half from the charity stripe to go ahead, 40-34 and while, the Javelinas did get within two at one point, Commerce was back ahead by six at the 12:22 mark. The home team then used to free throws and a dunk by Tyree Robinson to move in front by double-digits for the first time.

Those scores started an 8-0 spurt by the Lions before a jumper by Chauncey Thomas interrupted the run. TAMUK's deficit got as large as 15 before the Hogs mustered a response. TAMUK used a 9-1 burst to get within seven, only to see their hosts answer with four consecutive foul shots, pushing the difference to 11 with 3:24 to play.

The Hogs managed to score nine of the next 12 points, with Chauncey Thomas scoring seven of those, to bring the team within five, but that was as close as they would get.

Commerce enjoyed a slight edge in shooting percentage, posting a mark of 40 percent compared to 38, and an enormous edge in free throw attempts, as the Lions took 40 foul shots compared to only 14 attempts for the visitors. The Hogs easily controlled the boards, tallying 46 rebounds, including 21 on the offensive end, while limiting A&M-C to 32. The 21 offensive rebounds were the most by the Javs since Jan. 19^th, 2017 against Eastern New Mexico. The Javelinas committed 25 turnovers, their highest total since Feb. 18^th, 2017 against UT Permian Basin.

A home matchup with St. Edward's is next on the docket for the Javelinas, who will host the Hilltoppers on Dec. 5th at 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date with TAMUK men's basketball all season, follow @JavelinaMBB on Twitter, @Javelinasports on Instagram, like Javelina Men's Basketball on Facebook and subscribe to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel.