EDINBURG, TEXAS - The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team took one step closer to starting the 2008-09 season when they traveled to Texas-Pan American on Saturday for an exhibition game.   The Javelinas won the game 58-54.  (box score)

Javelina junior college transfer Angela Franklin was the team's top scorer with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor, including a 4-of-6 performance from three-point range.  After Franklin, the team had four players contributing between seven and nine points.  Overall, the Javs shot 46.3 percent from the floor and made 12-of-23 three-point attempts.  Twenty-three turnovers held the offense back, but the defense stepped up and played well.

Pan American shot just 39.3 percent from the floor making 22-of-56 shots.  They did nail 9-of-19 three pointers.  Maria Erlingsdottir was the only player on the team to score in double figures.  She led the team with 10 points.

The Javelinas outscored UTPA 8-1 at the foul line, an advantage that led to the win.  The team is gearing up for the opening of the regular season that starts Saturday at Wayland Baptist at 2 o'clock.