ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - With all five starters scoring at least 14 points, the Ouachita Tigers defeated the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions 87-83 on Thursday night. 

Despite only leading 37-35 at halftime, the Tigers controlled the game throughout the entire first half. The scoring began with a Colt Fason mid-range jumper, which sparked a 10-0 run by Ouachita. The Lions trailed the entire half and could not cut the lead to less than five until there were 54 seconds left. A last-second three-pointer from TAMUC's Anthony Adams brought the Lions within two at halftime. 

The Tigers finished the first half with a field goal percentage of 42.4 percent. Although Texas A&M Commerce (2-1) out rebounded the Tigers 17-11 in the first half, including 11 offensive rebounds, Ouachita committed only two turnovers, compared to TAMUC's nine. 

David Berete led all scorers at the half with 14 points on 6-9 shooting from the field and 2-3 shooting from three-point range. Fason followed Berete with eight points and five rebounds. 

In the second half, the Lions quickly took a 47-39 lead with a 12-0 run. A&M Commerce maintained its lead for over six minutes, until Justin McCleary's three-pointer with 11:16 to play gave the Tigers a 54-53 lead. 

Despite numerous Tigers being in foul trouble, Ouachita controlled the rest of the half until the final buzzer sounded with Ouachita ahead 87-83. 

The Tigers were able to keep their lead with 82.6 percent free-throw shooting in the second half. Berete, McCleary, Tirrell Brown and Jerron Smith were a combined 14-14 from the stripe. As a team, Ouachita posted an 82.6 percent free-throw percentage in the second half. 

McCleary led all scorers in the second half with 15 points. Micah Delph added 13 points in the second half and was 3-3 from three-point range. 

Ouachita held a field goal percentage of 44.8 percent for the game and committed only nine turnovers. The Lions won the rebounding battle 28-20 but were forced to commit 20 turnovers, resulting in 19 Ouachita points. 

McCleary and Brown led the Tigers with 17 points each for the game. Delph and Berete added 16 points each, and Fason finished with 14 points and a team-high six boards. 

The Tigers (2-0) will host Champions Baptist College on Monday, Nov. 24, for their third game of the regular season.