PORTALES, NEW MEXICO – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball team traveled to Lone Star Conference rival Eastern New Mexico on Thursday night and defeated the Zias, 72-66.
With back-to-back victories for the first time since a 4-game winning streak two years, the Javelinas (4-13, 3-8) find themselves occupying eighth place in the league which would be good enough to get to the conference tournament at the end of the season. The Hoggies avenged a 79-71 defeat to the Zias (5-13, 3-9) back on December 1 that saw Precious Herrin pile up 40 points to lead the way.
In the rematch, it was the Javelinas and junior center Jackie Stanley (Wylie/Wylie HS) that controlled the game. Stanley picked up her third double-double of the season with a season high 21 points and 17 rebounds to go with three assists and two blocks. She was able to limit Herrin, the top scorer in the conference, to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field.
In the first half the team’s traded three-pointers through the first seven minutes of the game. Midway through the half, the Javelinas put together an 11-0 run that was highlighted by Amanda Haven’s (Calallen/Calallen HS) third trifecta of the game. The Javs were able to go into halftime with a 36-30 lead.
In the second half, the Zias scored the first eight points to reclaim the lead. They would build up a five point lead and still held a lead with under six minutes remaining in the game.
The Hoggies held the Zias scoreless over a 3:23 stretch late in the game and put together a 12-2 run to take a 67-61 lead with 1:52 left in the game and it would prove to be enough for the win.
The Javelinas shot 35.7 percent from the field, made 5-of-15 from three-point range and were 17-of-27 at the foul line. In addition to Stanley’s 21 points, three other Javelinas scored in double figures. Inekka Stevenson (Freeport/Brazosport HS) had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Haven finished with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Brandi Clark (El Paso/Franklin HS) had 10 points in 26 minutes of action. The team committed a season low 10 turnovers and pulled down 13 more rebounds than the Zias.
The Zias shot 36.1 percent from the field, made 6-of-17 from three-point range and were 8-of-11 at the charity stripe. Kiara Tate led the team with 17 points and eight rebounds while Herrin and Karen Grant each had 12 points. Hannah Altheide contributed 10 points while Tori Northcutt dished out six assists. They committed nine turnovers.
The Javelinas are back in action on Saturday at West Texas A&M with tip-off slated for 4 p.m.
####
pr12025smm
