KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville men’s basketball team kept visiting Texas Lutheran at arm’s length for most of the game in a 73-63 victory at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court on Saturday afternoon.

After a slugging start to the game, the Javelinas (3-2) were able to take an 11-point lead into half time. The Bulldogs (0-1) were able to hang around in the second half never letting the Hoggies lead by more than 15 points. TLU put together a late 11-1 run to close to within five points with 38 seconds remaining, but the Javelinas were able to ice the game by making six straight free throws in the closing seconds.

The Javelinas shot 44.8 percent from the field, but were only 3-of-16 from three-point range. They had their best free throw shooting game of the season by hitting on 18-of-20 attempts. Derryl Nash (Austin/Elgin HS) led the team with 15 points while Ashton Brown (Randolph, NY/Central HS) had 13 points, four assists and four steals off the bench. Brown was also 4-for-4 at the foul line and is now a perfect 16-for-16 on the season.

The Javelinas were able to control the boards pulling down 39 rebounds while the Bulldogs had 27. Raymond Robinson (Corpus Christi/West Oso HS) led the way with seven rebounds and nine points in his first career start. Marcus Ford (Colorado Springs, CO/Mesa Ridge HS) added seven points, six rebounds and five assists. Marshall Bonds III (Little Rock, AR/Mills HS) had a season high 11 points, three rebounds and two blocks. Ryan Layssard (Opelousas, LA/Opelousas HS) led all players with seven assists.

The Bulldogs shot 45.3 percent from the field, made 3-of-10 three-point attempts and were 12-for-19 at the foul line. Matthew Agonis led the team with 15 points and four rebounds while Isaac Williams added 13 points and nine rebounds. Michael Flores contributed 11 points, four assists and four steals.

The Javelinas are back in action on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Sul Ross State at home.
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