KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville men’s basketball team had a season high 10 blocks and converted on 22-of-28 free throw attempts to thwart visiting Eastern New Mexico’s efforts at an upset on Wednesday night.  The Javelinas (17-7, 7-2) won their third straight game and 10th of their last 12 by a score of 74-69 at the Steinke Center.  (box score)

In the first half, it was the Greyhounds (4-21, 0-10) who controlled the tempo of play as they ran their pick laden offense to perfection getting numerous easy layups off of back screens.  They made 56 percent of their first half shots and limited the Javelinas to 43.5 percent shooting to take a slim 29-28 lead into the half.

In the second half, the Javelinas turned to senior point guard Wendell Mulkey (San Antonio/East Central HS) who took control of the game.  Mulkey scored 13 of the Hoggies’ first 16 points and assisted on the three-pointer by Royce Gaye (Houston/Klein HS).

The Greyhounds hung tough with the Javelinas through the first 10 minutes of the second half, but then an 8-0 Hoggie run gave Kingsville a 55-46 lead with 9:54 remaining.  Over the final 10 minutes it came down to a free throw shooting game for the Javelinas and they came through with their best performance of the season making 18-of-22 from the charity stripe in the second half.

The Javelinas blocked 10 shots in the game to give themselves 110 on the season, a new school single season record.  Senior forward Chip Jones (Fort Worth/N. Richland Hills HS) swatted away six shots by himself, a new career high.  Jones, in his first year on the squad, has blocked 56 shots this season which is not only a Javelina single season record, but also a career record.

The Hoggies shot 56.5 percent from the floor in the second half to finish the game at an even 50.0 percent.  The team made 6-of-14 three-pointers with junior guard Adam Morris (Goliad/Goliad HS) providing a big lift off the bench with a 3-for-4 performance from downtown to go with 15 points.  At the foul line, Gaye and Adan Montalvo (La Joya/La Joya HS) each went 5-for-6 while Flavio Milam (Killeen/Ellison HS) and Morris were each 4-for-5.  The Javs pulled down two more rebounds than the Greyhounds, but also committed two more turnovers.

Mulkey led the team with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor to go with four rebounds, three assists and three steals.  Morris was next with his 15 points in 13 minutes and then Clyde Johnson (San Antonio/Converse Judson HS) and Milam each had 10 points.

The Greyhounds shot 52.6 percent from the field, made 5-of-10 three-pointers and were 4-of-6 at the foul line.  Brandon Wilson led the squad with 17 points while Jimmie Marshall added 12 points, six assists and three steals.  Aaron King came off the bench to supply 11 points.  Dannon Wafer had seven points, six rebounds and four steals before fouling out.

The Javelinas are now tied for first place in the Lone Star Conference South Division with Midwestern State.   The Hoggies go on the road on Saturday to West Texas A&M where they can clinch a playoff berth.  The game starts at 8 o’clock.
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