KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – After starting the season 8-0 at home, the Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team saw its home losing streak extend to three games after Angelo State University handed the team a 68-60 loss on Saturday night at the Steinke Center. (box score)

The Javelinas (13-9, 3-4) and Rambelles (13-9, 4-3) each entered the game with identical 3-3 marks in the Lone Star Conference South Division, but the ‘Belles came out on top thanks to an excellent rebounding performance that saw them pull down 21 more rebounds than the Javs.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to gain an advantage until the ‘Belles went on a 9-0 run late in the half to take an 11-point lead.  However, the Javelinas scored six quick points in the final minute of the half to close to within 33-28 at the break.

The second half began with the Javelinas extending their run to 11-0 and tying the game at 33-33 after a Tammi Mitchell (Tyler/John Tyler HS) old-fashioned three-point play with 18:12 to play.  The ‘Belles responded with an 11-2 run over the next six minutes and once again led by nine points, 44-35.

There was no quit in the Javelinas and they kept chipping away at the lead.  Felicia Soza (Beeville/Jones HS) made it 48-47 ASU after she buried a three-pointer with 8:17 remaining.  The Javs had a few chances to take the lead, but were never able to reclaim the advantage.

The Javelinas finally tied the score with 1:49 remaining when Dyana Bullinger (Spring/Klein HS) and Kayla Naylor (Corpus Christi/Calallen HS) knocked down back-to-back three-pointers.

On the very next possession, the ‘Belles took a lead they would not give up when Lauren Weishuhn hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down.  A Hoggie turnover then turned into a breakaway lay-up for Camille Perkins and the Kingsville hopes for extinguished.

The ‘Belles knocked down 5-of-6 free throw attempts in the final minute of the game to seal the win.

The Javelinas were led by LaKeisha Jones’ (Winnsboro, LA/Crowville HS) 11 points while Bullinger added 10 points and six rebounds.  The Javs shot 38 percent from the floor, made 5-of-18 three-pointers and were 17-of-20 at the foul line.  They committed 23 turnovers that led to 26 ASU points.

The ‘Belles were led by Perkins’ 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals.  Weishuhn added 11 points, 12 rebounds and four steals while Ann Parks had nine points and 11 boards.  ASU shot 38.3 percent from the floor, made only 3-of-18 free throws and were 19-of-22 at the foul line.  They scored 20 points on second chance opportunities and had 24 turnovers.

The Javelinas are back in action on Wednesday night at LSC South rival Abilene Christian at 6 o’clock.
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