A veteran Fort Hays State Tiger team beat a young Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelina squad 77-64 in the first round of the St. Mary’s Rattler’s Classic in San Antonio. Jasmine June had 21 points, six rebounds and five steals to lead the Javelinas. Lana Toki had 13 points and hit 3-of-4 3-point shots.
The Javelinas return just two players from last year’s squad while the Tigers return three starters from a squad that went 21-7 last year.
Texas A&M-Kingsville shot 31.8% from the floor while Fort Hays State made 52 percent of its shots. Javelinas out-rebounded the Tigers 43 to 40, and grabbed 26 offensive rebounds.
Angela Totter, June and Toki all had six rebounds apiece.
The Javelinas trailed 39-26 the Tigers at the half.
“We were in foul trouble in the first half and that hurt us,” said Javelina head coach Dina Kangas. “We were down big at the half, but we played well and didn’t turn the ball over in the second half. We didn’t shoot the ball very well and their post players hurt us. Lana played well offensively, but she was in foul trouble the whole game. Jasmine had a really good game. Their post players are tough and they have good shooters. We just have to get better.”
The Javelinas will face the University of Central Missouri Saturday night in San Antonio.
