KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – The Texas A&M-Kingsville men’s basketball team ran into a buzzsaw in the second half against visiting #9 Midwestern State on Saturday afternoon in a 71-50 loss at Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.

The Javelinas (11-14, 6-10) and Mustangs (20-2, 13-2) were locked in a defensive battle for much of the first half and into the second half. MSU held a slim 28-25 lead at halftime, but things changed in the second half.

After the Javelinas quickly tied the score at 28-28, the Mustangs went on a quick 7-0 run that was stopped by an Ashton Brown (Randolph, NY/Central HS) three-pointer. Unfortunately, the Mustangs were just starting to heat up as they hit four three-pointers in a three minute stretch to push their lead to double figures. Then, the visitors were able to take advantage of the Javelina defense that had to extend out and were able to get easier shots the rest of the game.

The Mustangs played excellent defense limiting the Javs to 37.0 percent shooting for the game and just a 3-for-14 performance from three point range.

The Javelinas were led by Ryan Layssard’s (Opelousas, LA/Opelousas HS) 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Marshall Bonds III (Little Rock, AR/Mills HS) added 10 points, two blocks and two steals. The team was able to force the Mustangs into 13 first half turnovers and 36.0 percent shooting in the half.

The Mustangs shot 47.3 percent from the field for the game, made 9-of-21 from three-point range and were 10-of-19 at the foul line. Six different players made a three-pointer, including three by JaMichael Rivers who finished with 11 points and four rebounds. David Terrell led the team with 15 points and four boards off the bench on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Keonte’ Logan led the team with eight rebounds and four assists. They grabbed 12 more rebounds as a team than the Javelinas.

The Hoggies are back in action on Wednesday night at home against Angelo State at 8 p.m.
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