Women's Basketball 12/17/2008 12:00:00 AM

Javs Stay Perfect at Home

Kayla Naylor hit the game-winning free throws on Wednesday night

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team trailed Missouri Southern State University early, clawed their way back and won the game on two Kayla Naylor (Corpus Christi/Calallen HS) free throws with 1.5 seconds to play, 62-60 at the Steinke Center. (box score)

The Javelinas (5-4) began the game slowly and the Lions (7-2) drained four three-pointers in the first 12 minutes building up a 24-10 lead with 8:04 left in the first half. The Hoggies held the Lions to just 10 points in the final eight minutes of the half and knocked down 9-of-10 free throws in the final moments to cut the lead to 34-28 at the half.

In the second half, Myosha Barnes scored the first seven points for the Lions and gave them a nine point lead. The Javs defense held the Lions scoreless for 5:37 and it allowed the team to close the gap. The Hoggies tied the game at 43-43 with 10:01 left in regulation and would take the lead on an Angela Franklin (Vacaville, CA/Vanden HS) jumper on their next possession.

After scoring just two points in the first 30 minutes of the game, Ursula Hill (Cypress/Cy-Fair HS) knocked down two three-pointers and score eight of the Javelinas’ next 13 points giving the team a 58-54 lead with 4:36 to play. Two free throws by Franklin with 3:52 remaining made the score 60-56. The Lions scored on a free throw with 3:25 remaining, but then neither team would score again until Lindsay Davis put back her own missed shot with 1:17 to make the score 60-59.

The Lions defense got a stop on the next possession when they forced a jump ball and the possession arrow was in their favor. Nichole Helfrich tied the game when she made 1-of-2 free throws with 29 seconds left. That set the stage for Naylor. The Javs ran the clock down and Naylor drove the lane and drew a foul with 1.5 seconds left. She calmly knocked down both free throws and the Lions desperation three-pointer was off target.

The Javelinas improved to 5-0 at home on the year and it was their third win of the season over an MIAA opponent. The team continued its success at the foul line in home games making 18-of-21 attempts. Franklin led the team with 13 points making 5-of-10 shots from the field. Hill was the only other Hoggie in double figures with 10 points and four assists. Felicia Soza (Beeville/A.C. Jones HS) led the team with seven rebounds. The team committed 17 turnovers while forcing the Lions into 21 turnovers.

The Lions had three players score in double figures and dominated the boards pulling down 12 more rebounds than the Javs. Davis led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. India Wood scored 12 points and Barnes added 10 points. Danielle DeVader added eight points, six rebounds and four steals. The Lions shot 42 percent from the field, made 4-of-14 three-pointers and were 14-of-20 at the foul line.

The Javelinas head to Austin, Texas for the St. Edward’s Christmas Tournament on Friday and Saturday. They take on the host on Friday at 3:30 and play Texas A&M International on Saturday at 1 o’clock.
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