Men's Basketball 11/29/2008 12:00:00 AM

Javelinas Win Defensive Battle

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Just ask Texas A&M-Kingsville shooting guard Adan Montalvo (La Joya/La Joya HS) who was good all game long, but it was his luck that clinched a 57-55 victory over visiting University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday night. (box score)

Montalvo led the Javelinas (3-2) with 15 points on the night, but it was his shot clock bail out, banked in three-pointer with 7.4 seconds to play that gave the team the victory.

Heading into the game, it appeared that a high scoring affair may be in order as the Cardinals (3-2) entered the contest averaging 93.0 points per game. However, both teams struggled to score and a defensive battle where every possession was precious ensued.

The action began very slowly with the Cardinals holding the Javelinas to just four points in the first 10:40 of the game. Fortunately, the Hoggie defense was nearly as good as they allowed 11 points. Kingsville finally started to get the offense working late in the period and went into halftime with a 24-23 lead after Robert Williams (Dallas/Kimball HS) sank a pair of free throws with eight seconds left.

In the second half, neither team scored more than six straight points at a time. The Javelinas held between a four and eight point lead for much of the half, but a 6-0 run by the Cards tied the score at 46-46 with 5:17 to play. The Hogs built the lead back to six points after four straight points by Williams.

The Cards were not through as Shawn Umeh scored and drew a foul with 1:00 remaining. He missed the free throw, but the Cardinals came up with it and Pierce Caldwell buried a three-pointer to make it 54-53 with 54 seconds remaining. Umeh nearly gave IUW the lead after he picked up a steal, but he traveled going in for the lay-up giving the ball back with 42 seconds to play.

The Javs ran the shot clock down and very nearly did not get a shot off, but Montalvo pumped faked to create space and threw up an off balanced three-pointer that banked in. The Cards added a bucket at the buzzer, but it did not matter.

After a lackluster first half, both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half.

The Javelinas had three players score in double figures. Joining Montalvo were Williams with 12 and Flavio Milam (Killeen/Ellison HS) with 11 points and eight rebounds. Wendell Mulkey (San Antonio/East Central HS) contributed six points, eight rebounds and three steals. The Hogs went 21-of-48 from the field, 4-of-13 from three-point range and 11-for-15 at the foul line. They committed 17 turnovers while forcing 19 turnovers.

The Cardinals were led by Jawan Bailey’s 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Unfortunately for the Cards, he was the team’s lone offensive threat. Deleon Hines did add 10 points off the bench. Incarnate Word went 21-of-49 from the field, 2-for-14 from three-point range and 11-of-13 at the line. They pulled down two more rebounds than the Javelinas.

The Javelinas have now won their last nine games against the Cardinals. The Hogs are back in action on Tuesday night at Texas A&M International at 7 o’clock. The game can be listened to online at www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=7836.
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