KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – Texas A&M-Kingsville head men’s basketball coach Pete Peterson achieved a milestone on Saturday that no other head coach in school history has ever done, he won his 200th career game. The Javelinas topped visiting Texas Lutheran University 55-46 at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. (box score)

The Javelinas (1-2) came out of the gates slowly and trailed by as many as seven points in the first half. They closed the half with an 11-0 run over the final 3:43 to take a 31-27 lead into halftime over the Bulldogs (0-1). Freshman Venton Wilder (Plantation, FL/Cypress Bay HS) sparked the run with a pair of conventional three-point plays.

In the second half, the Bulldogs tied the score at 35-35 after a lay-up by Jarell English with 14:12 remaining. The Hoggies responded with a 10-0 run over the next seven minutes and then salted the game away at the foul line. They scored their final 13 points from the charity stripe and connected on 18-of-21 from the foul line for the game.

“I was more concerned with getting our first win of the season,” said Peterson. “We did not come out ready to play, but picked it up on the defensive end in the second half.”

The Javelinas made only 4-of-19 shots in the second half and were 18-for-54 for the entire game while making only 1-of-10 three-point attempts. They pulled down 12 more rebounds than the Bulldogs, but did commit one more turnover.

Marcus Ford (Colorado Springs, CO/Mesa Ridge HS) and Antwan Mullins (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS) each scored 12 points to lead the Hoggie offense. Ford picked up his first career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Mullins drained 6-of-6 from the foul line. Wayne Lovings (Round Rock/Stony Point HS) led the team with 11 rebounds.

The Bulldogs did not have anyone score in double figures but Isaac Williams and Michael Flores each had nine points. They shot 32.7 percent from the field, made 4-of-13 three-point tries and were 8-of-13 at the foul line. Williams and Ryan Schreier each had five rebounds while English led the team with four steals.

The Javelinas are back in action on Monday night at 7 p.m. against Huston-Tillotson.
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