KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team hung close with #19 Tarleton State on Saturday for one half, but could not maintain the pace in the second half in an 88-64 loss at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.  (box score)

The TexAnns (21-2, 11-0) came out of the gate hitting on all cylinders and took a 22-9 lead after only eight minutes. The Javelinas (3-21, 1-11) responded by clamping down defensively to get back in the game.

Over the next six minutes the Hoggies outscored the TexAnns 11-2 and trailed by only four points after a free throw by Novella Thomas (Corpus Christi/West Oso HS) with 5:45 left in the first half. They drew as close as three points on a pair of free throws by Ashley Perez (Lytle/Lytle HS) with 3:11 remaining, but TSU was able to put a mini run together to end the half and took a 43-35 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the TexAnns built up a 30 point lead with 7:48 left in the game and cruised to the victory. With the win they clinched the Lone Star Conference South Division title.

The Javelinas shot 40.4 percent from the field, made 3-of-13 three-point attempts and were 15-for-20 at the foul line. Victoria Gonzalez (Hidalgo/Hidalgo HS) led the team with 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench. Chelsea Solis (San Antonio/Wagner HS) added 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field while Thomas added 10 points and seven rebounds. The team committed 25 turnovers and grabbed 33 rebounds in the game.

The TexAnns shot 53.2 percent from the field, made 9-of-17 three-point tries and were 13-for-19 at the foul line. Shelby Adamson led the team with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals while shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. Sonya Sundberg contributed 12 points, six assists and three steals while Kiara Wright added 12 points and 10 rebounds in just 16 minutes off the bench. Brittnie Haley scored 12 points while Lisa Parker finished with 15 points off the bench.

The Javelinas are back in action on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Eastern New Mexico for their final home game of the year.
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