STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS – The Tarleton State men’s basketball team gradually built up a 10-point halftime lead over visiting Lone Star Conference South Division rival Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday and never let the Javelinas get any closer than 11 points in the second half en route to a 78-59 win.  (Box score)

In the first half, the Javelinas (12-13, 2-8) took a 12-11 lead after Marcus Ford (Colorado Springs, CO/Mesa Ridge HS) and Phillip Belford (Robstown/Tuloso-Midway HS) each hit a pair of three-pointers. That would be the last lead for the Javelinas as the Texans (21-5, 9-2) quickly reclaimed the lead and never looked back.

The Javelinas shot 43.1 percent from the field, made 9-of-21 from three-point range and were 6-for-9 from the foul line. This was the first game all season that the team did not win when they shot at least 40 percent from the field.

Flavio Milam (Killeen/Ellison HS) and Belford led the Hoggies with 12 points apiece. Belford went 4-for-5 from three-point range in scoring his career high in points. Adan Montalvo (La Joya/La Joya HS) dished out six assists while Ford led the team with seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Texans shot 55.8 percent from the field, made 9-of-18 three-point attempts and were only 11-for-27 from the foul line. Devon Hills led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Effran Bryant knocked down four three-pointers, scored 16 points and had five assists. Jeremiah Wilson and Corin Henry scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.

The Javelinas are back in action on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock against West Texas A&M on Senior Night.
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