KINGSVILLE – Naquawn Lee’s 17 points led four Javelinas in double figures as Texas A&M-Kingsville topped the Midwestern State Mustangs 78-63 in a crucial conference contest.  Click here for stats.

            The win gave the Hogs a 16-8 record and improved them to 5-4 in Lone Star Conference South Division action, alone in third place in the LSC South Division. The Javelinas now have a full-game lead over both Angelo State and Abilene Christian and a two-game lead over Midwestern State. The top four teams advance to the LSC Postseason Tournament in March.

            Midwestern State fell to 11-12 on the season and 3-6 in the LSC South.

            “We played great defense,” head coach Pete Peterson said. “Tremendous, tremendous defense. That was the key today.”

   The Javelinas forced the Mustangs into 15 turnovers and just 40 percent shooting while turning the ball over just eight times. A&M-Kingsville outscored the Mustangs 27-11 at the free throw line, making 27 of 35 free throws for 77 percent. Lee made 9-of-10 and Story all seven of his shots from the charity stripe.

            Wendell Mulkey had 14 points, five assists, two steals and hit 7-of-10 shots from the floor for while Clyde Johnson and Stephen Story each had 13 points for the Javelinas..

            Johnson recorded his first double-double of the season by leading the Javelinas with 10 rebounds.

            Chris Davis had 19 points to lead the Mustangs.

   After going up by as many as 18, 59-41, with six minutes left to play, the Hogs fell victim to a 20-10 Mustang run that closed the gap to 69-61 with 1:41 remaining. But the Javelinas closed the game out on a 9-2 run, making seven of eight free throws.

   The Mustangs were down 35-22 at the half, but started the second period on a 13-4 run to close the Javelina lead to 39-35. That would be the closest the Mustangs would get to catching the Hogs.

   A&M-Kingsville immediately responded with a 22-8 spurred by points in the point and trips to the free throw line. The run began with four straight layups including three straight by Mulkey.

   “We had to continue to play inside as hard as we could,” Peterson said. “We got them into foul trouble and we got some easy baskets.”

   The Hogs fell behind 11-4 after the first five minutes of play but outscored the Mustangs 31-11 the rest of the first half.

   The Javelinas will travel for their next game against the West Texas A&M Buffaloes Wednesday at 8 p.m.