AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team has been fantastic at home, but has struggled on the road this season.  On Friday, the team soothed their road travails with a 59-54 win at St. Edward’s in the St. Edward’s Christmas Classic.  (box score)

Javelina (6-4) senior center LaKeisha Jones (Winnsboro, LA/Crowville HS) was the difference in the game as she scored 14 second half points in leading the team back from a 34-29 halftime deficit.  Jones finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds while making 9-of-10 shots from the floor.

The first half belonged to the Hilltoppers (4-6) who knocked down 50 percent of their field goals.  The team took great care of the ball in the half with 11 assists and just seven turnovers.

In the second half, the Javelinas allowed just one point in the first 6:07 and used a 10-0 run to take a 39-35 lead.  From that point on the game was a nail-biter with neither team leading by more than four points.  The Hilltoppers took a 54-53 lead with 1:59 remaining, but Ursula Hill (Cypress/Cy-Fair HS) gave the Javs back the lead with a three-pointer with 1:23 to play.

In the final minute of regulation, the Javelina defense forced two turnovers and got a stop on a third possession.  Hill and Jones combined to make three free throws in the final five seconds to ice the game.

The Javelina defense limited the Hilltoppers to 33.3 percent shooting in the second half and forced 15 turnovers.  Jones and Hill each finished the game with three steals.  Hill added 14 points and six assists.  Hill had her streak of 20 consecutive made free throws snapped when she missed one with five seconds left in the game.  The Javs did not play great on offense, but did enough to get the win.  They shot 43.9 percent from the field, made 5-of-19 three-pointers and were 4-of-8 at the foul line.  They had 16 assists and 21 turnovers in the game.

The Hilltoppers were led by Sara Head’s 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Kelli Payton added 10 points, but all were scored in the first half.  St. Edward’s shot 42.6 percent from the field, made 2-of-8 three-pointers and were 6-of-10 from the line.  They committed 22 turnovers and had 15 assists.

The Javs are back in action on Saturday against Texas A&M International at 1 o’clock in Austin.
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