Eastern New Mexico Men's Basketball | 02.20.16 | David Norton | Photo By Mati Tharp

COMMERCE, Texas — Despite four players scoring in double-digits, the Eastern New Mexico men's basketball team on the losing end of a 81-73 contest against Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday.

ENMU (6-19, 2-11 LSC) was led by Ladarius Stewart who had 20 points on the night.  He was followed by Lawrence Domingo with 15, while Javaan Mumtaz and Javandon Staves scored 12 and 10, respectively. 

Despite outscoring the Lions by a 2-to-1 ration on second chance points, points of turnovers and fast break points, Commerce won the game from the free throw line.  Not only were their only 23 fouls called on Eastern and only 12 for Commerce, but the Lions shot 26 freebies from the charity stripe, making 21 (81 percent).  The staggering difference came in the two teams free throw disparity, with the Hounds only reaching the line eight times, connecting on three.

The Hounds found themselves down by 11 heading into the locker room at half, trailing Commerce 45-34.  ENMU fought back and managed to outscore the Lions by three points, but it wouldn't be enough.

Eastern made 29 of their field goals compared to the Lion's 27, and outshot Commerce 12-to-6 from beyond the arc.  The Hounds even forced almost twice as many turnovers out of Commerce, with the Lions coughing up the ball 17 times to ENMU's 10.

The loss seals Eastern's Lone Star Conference Tournament spot at eighth.  The top of the LSC is still up for grabs and therefore ENMU won't know who they will be facing until the conclusion of LSC regular season play.  Cameron, West Texas, Tarleton and Midwestern are all fighting for the top seed, with the Mustangs sitting at 9-4 while the other three are all 8-5. 

The Hounds will host West Texas Saturday, Feb. 27, in Portales.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  The contest will also mark Senior Night for ENMU.