DURANT, OKLAHOMA – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team could not have asked for a better start to their game at Southeastern Oklahoma State, but the finish did not go as planned as the team went ice-cold from the field making only four of their last 16 shots in a 73-64 loss that snapped a five-game winning streak.  (box score)

The Javelinas (9-5) jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game and held a 33-22 lead with 3:47 remaining in the first half after a Kayla Naylor (Corpus Christi/Calallen HS) three-pointer.  The Savage Storm (9-4) closed the half on a 13-4 run to close the gap to two points as the Javs led 37-35 at the break.

In the second half, the Storm took the lead on a Destiny Brown jumper and they would not relinquish it.  The Javs had a number of chances to regain the lead, but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
The Savage Storm’s defense was a big key to game as they limited the Javelinas to 32 percent shooting in the second half after the Hoggies had shot 64 percent in the first half.  Over the final five minutes of the game, the Javelinas were never able to get any closer than seven points.

The Javelinas dominated play on the inside as they outscored the Storm 38-20 on points in the paint.  The Storm more than made up for it by making seven more three-pointers and 10 more free throws than the Hoggies.

The Javelinas were led by LaKeisha Jones’ (Winnsboro, LA/Crowville HS) 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks.  Felicia Soza (Beeville/A.C. Jones HS) added 13 points and four rebounds while Tammi Mitchell (Tyler/John Tyler HS) came off the bench to score 11 points.  The Hoggies shot 45.2 percent from the field, went 4-of-14 from three-point range and 4-for-5 from the foul line.

The Savage Storm had four players score in double figures.  Brown had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Jasmine Hughey and Ashley Tucker each poured in 15 points.  Kacey Russell was the other SEOSU player in double figures with 10 points and five boards.  They out rebounded the Javs by a 45-36 margin and forced 15 turnovers while committing just 13 of their own.  They shot 35.8 percent from the field, made 11-of-27 three-pointers and were 14-of-18 at the foul line.

The Javelinas are back in action on Saturday at 2 o’clock at East Central University.
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