Box Score KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team controlled much of the action Tuesday night in its home opener with Huston-Tillotson but had to hold off a furious rally in the final minutes to claim a 71-67 victory on Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
The Javelinas move to 2-1 with the win, while Huston-Tillotson falls to 0-2. The Hoggies host St. Mary's on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Kingsville used a 12-0 run early in the first half to break a 4-4 tie and led by 11, 34-23, at the intermission. In the second half, Kingsville extended the lead to as many as 17 points four minutes into the period.
The Javelinas led by 10, 67-57, with 3:17 remaining after a fast-break basket by Lindsey Mahone and seeming had the game locked up.
However, HTU went on a 10-2 run to pull within a bucket at 69-67 with 17 seconds left on a Shaniqua Thomas layup. Janequa Moore had a pair of 3-point baskets in the span.
Mahone would convert a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to ice the win as the Hoggies overcame three turnovers in a 25-second span.
Mahone led three Javelinas in double figures and had a team-best nine rebounds. She finished with 21 points including 17 in the final half. Ashley Viera powered the Javelina offense in the first 20 minutes. The sophomore drained four treys in the opening half and finished the game with 17 points. Rosalie Cutri added 12 points and five assists.
For the game, Kingsville shot 47.2% from the floor including 53.8% in the second half. The Javelinas swiped 16 steals with Cutri and Alexis Copeland each swiping three en route to forcing 33 turnovers.
HTU's Moore led the visitors with 20, while Jasmine Dukes had 14. Thomas added 11 points. The Rams also forced 33 turnovers and had 14 steals with Danielle Franking swiping six.