Box Score DENTON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team opened Lone Star Conference play the same way they ended non-conference action with a loss decided by a basket falling 72-69 to Texas Woman's University on Tuesday night.

The loss drops Kingsville below .500 for the first time since dropping the season opener. The Javelinas stand 5-6 overall and 0-1 in the LSC. The Pioneers are now 5-7 overall, but 1-2in the league.

Trailing by 67-60 with over three minutes to go, the Javelinas charged back with an 8-1 run to tie the game at 68 on three foul shots by Lindsey Mahone, who scored 16 of her game-high 18 points in the second half.

Ashley Viera started the run with a pair of jumpers to make it a 3-point contest, 67-64 with 2:22 remaining. Viera, however, fouled out moments later. TWU's Mary Kotvun hit one of the two free throws to make it a 68-64 game with 1:54 left.

After Tonje Milde hit 1-of-2 from the stripe with 1:31 left, Mahone was fouled with 37 seconds left while attempting a three. The Javelina converted all three.

Mahone was called for a foul with 18 seconds remaining and Kenesha Saygo converted a pair of foul shots to put the hosts up 70-68.

With nine seconds left, the Pioneers sent Mahone back to the charity stripe with a chance to tie. The Kingsville senior missed the first attempt but drained the second to make it a 1-point game, 70-69.

Forced to foul with time running down, Mahone again fouled Saygo. Saygo, who finished 11-of-14 from the line as she finished with 13 points, converted both attempts with six seconds left.

Senior Sheana Jones attempted a last second shot but it was no good as time expired.

The Hoggies had jumped out to an 8-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest. Ruby Robertson scored seven of the points in the opening run including a trey to cap it.

Kingsville maintained the lead until a 3-point basket by Toree Mason pushed the Pioneers in front 14-12 seven minutes into the game.

The Javelinas would not lead again.

TWU would extend its advantage to 10, 30-20, with under eight minutes to go in the half and led 39-33 at the break.

The Pioneers pushed their lead to 11 with 16:43 remaining in the game on a basket by Rebekah Cluely.
Kingsville would cut the lead to four points multiple times but did not get closer until the final run that helped them tie the game at 68.

Four Hoggies finished in double figures. Aside from Mahone's 18, starters Ashley Viera had 12 points and Sheana Jones added 10. Rita Banaszczak came off the bench. Kingsville finished with 36 rebounds led by Mahone and Banaszczak each had nine. Mahone added four steals and Jones three as Kingsville had 11.

Kingsville struggled shooting going 21-of-57 from the floor for 36.8% including a 3-of-19 performance from 3-point range.

Ria Pateraki led the hosts with 14 points and nine rebounds. Saygo joined her in double digits with 13. The Pioneers finished with 45 rebounds and hit 42.9% from the floor.

The Javelinas visit Texas A&M-Commerce Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m.