COMMERCE, Texas — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, East Texas A&M edged out Southern with a narrow score of 70-68, propelled by a strong performance from Khaliq Abdul-Mateen, who scored 18 points.

Abdul-Mateen also contributed five rebounds in a pivotal role for the Lions, who improved their record to 1-3 this season. Teammate Evan Phelps added another 14 points along with four steals, showcasing a solid defensive and offensive presence. The game came down to the last minute when Scooter Williams Jr. secured the decisive points, giving the Lions a crucial 70-68 lead with just 59 seconds left on the clock. Williams wrapped up the contest with 13 points.

On the other side, the Jaguars struggled to find their footing, dropping to 0-3. They were led by Cam Amboree, who emerged as a standout scorer with 20 points. Tidjiane Dioumassi also made an impact by contributing 13 points along with six assists, while Damariee Jones chipped in with eight points.

The competitive spirit on the court indicated a tightly contested game, highlighting the efforts from both teams as they battled for an early season victory.