SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville men’s basketball team went back and forth at Lone Star Conference South Division rival Angelo State all game long, but it was the Rams coming out on top, 64-62 at the Junell Center on Wednesday night. (box score)

The Javelinas (7-14, 2-7) led by as many as six points in the first half and eight points in the second half, but each time they took the lead the Rams (10-11, 6-3) battled back.

In the first half the Hoggies led 26-20 after a tip-in by Ricky Simon (La Marque/La Marque HS) with 3:34 to play in the half. The Rams outscored the Javs 9-2 to close out the half and take a one point lead into the break.

In the second half, the Javelinas held the Rams scoreless for the first 4:58 and led 36-29. They maintained their lead for the next several minutes and still led 45-39 with 9:03 remaining after a jumper by Antwan Mullins (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS). The Rams responded with an 18-4 run over the next 7:08.

Just when the game looked lost, the Javelinas pulled back into contention. Mullins made a layup and then Simon converted an old-fashioned three-point play to pull the team to within three points. After Steven Moore made two free throws for the Rams, Ryan Wallace (Spring/Tomball HS) converted another three-point play for the Javs to make it 59-57 Rams with 43 seconds left in the game. The Javelinas had a chance to tie the game with under 15 seconds to play, but were unable to convert a three-point attempt and the Rams pulled out the win.

The Javelinas shot 39.7 percent from the field, made 7-of-18 three-point attempts and were 3-for-3 at the foul line. Mullins led the team with 11 points, but was only 4-of-18 shooting from the field. However, he did lead the team with eight rebounds and seven assists. Simon added nine points and five rebounds. The team had 43 total rebounds, but committed 21 turnovers.

The Rams played only seven players in the game. They shot 35.3 percent from the field, made 3-of-20 from three-point range and were 25-of-32 from the foul line. Richard Thomas and Moore each had 18 points in the game. LaDonn Huckaby added 14 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals. The team had 30 rebounds and only 10 turnovers.

The Javelinas are back in action on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court on Military Appreciation Day.
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