KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – Despite shooting only 33.9 percent from the field for the game, the Texas A&M-Kingsville men’s basketball team stayed unbeaten at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court thanks to great defense and free throw shooting on Monday night.  They defeated Texas A&M-International by a 68-51 margin.  (box score)

In the first half, the Javelinas (6-1) got off to a slow start and trailed 22-14 with 7:54 remaining after a St. Paul Latham dunk for the Dustdevils (2-6).  The Hogs buckled down on both ends and closed the half on a 16-3 run to take a 30-25 lead into the break.  Over the final 7:54 of the half, the Javelinas allowed just three points, all on free throws.  Three-pointers by Flavio Milam (Killeen/Ellison HS) and Brock Kimball (Ingleside/Ingleside HS) gave the Hoggies a boost late in the half.

In the second half, the Javelinas did not make their first basket until Antwan Mullins (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS) knocked down a three-pointer with 13:22 left in the game to give the team a 34-30 lead.

While the Javelinas were struggling to shoot in the second half, the Dustdevils were not having much better luck.  Through 10 minutes of play in the half, the Hoggies outscored the visitors 9-7.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, the Javelinas made their living at the free throw line.  They expanded their lead to nine points after two Royce Gaye (Houston/Klein HS) free throws with 7:45 to play, but the Dustdevils responded with a 7-0 run to pull to within 44-42 with 5:45 left in the game.

Over the final 5:35 the Javelinas went 17-for-20 at the line to turn a close game into a blowout.

The Javelinas had four players score in double figures.  Kimball sparked the team with 10 points off the bench, including two three-pointers.  Mullins led the team with 15 points, five assists and five steals while making 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.  Milam and Naquawn Lee (San Antonio/East Central HS) each added 14 points apiece.  Gaye added eight points, a team high eight rebounds and four steals.  Marcus Ford (Colorado Springs, CO/Mesa Ridge HS) led the defensive effort with three blocks and two steals.

The Javelinas went 19-for-56 from the field, 6-for-22 from three-point range and 24-of-32 from the foul line.  They forced 29 turnovers and committed 17.

The Dustdevils were led by Latham’s game high 18 points to go with a team best six rebounds.  Gary Matthews Jr. chipped in with eight points, six rebounds and three steals.  They shot 43.9 percent from the field, made 2-of-15 three-pointers and were 13-for-19 at the foul line.

The Javelinas travel to Northeastern State on Thursday for an 8 o’clock tip-off.
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