LAREDO, Texas (Women's Basketball) – The 2014-15 women's basketball season is upon us as Texas A&M University-Kingsville looks to improve on an 11-win season with new head coach
Wade Scott at the helm of the program. The Javelinas start the season with three games in a six-day span, beginning at Texas A&M International University on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the TAMIU Convocation and Recreation Center.
After visiting Laredo, the Hogs will host the Dustdevils in their home opener on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. After earning the season sweep last year, Texas A&M-Kingsville holds the all-time edge, 8-5, over TAMIU. Texas A&M International received seven votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll after finishing the 2013-14 season 19-9 overall and 15-5 in Heartland Conference play. The Dustdevils appeared in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament last season.
"This game is going to be a good early test for us," said Scott. "TAMIU won the Heartland Conference last season, so we are going to see early on what we are made of. I expect us to compete at a high level on both ends."
Sandwiched between the home-and-home series versus Texas A&M International is a nonconference tilt at NCAA Division I program University of Texas-Pan American. The Western Athletic Conference program has had a longstanding history with the Javelinas, with TAMUK dominating the all-time series, 27-6. The Blue and Gold defeated the Broncs in its inaugural basketball contest back in 1977 and earned a victory in the first 21 meetings against UTPA.
The Broncs are 1-2 on the year after earning a season-opening 61-59 win over the University of New Mexico on Nov. 14. Playing its second and third games of the season in as many days, UTPA fell to No. 18 DePaul University, 93-70, and No. 5 Texas A&M University, 63-61, on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, respectively.
Returning for her junior season is All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention guard
Ashley Viera. The junior finished second on the Javelinas in scoring with 10.8 points/game. She added 3.1 assists per game and averaged 1.5 three-pointers per contest. Viera ranked eighth in the LSC with a 1.2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. Also returning are starters
Lauren Jay (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rebounds),
Tonje Milde (14 starts) and
Ruby Robertson (6.6 points). Joining the veteran group of projected starters is McClennan Community College transfer
Kyra Bauer.
For complete coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball, please follow @TAMUKWBB on Twitter, like our Facebook page (/JavelinaNation) or visit the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville Athletics at JavelinaAthletics.com.
Upcoming Promotions (WBB Only)· Nov. 22
nd: Women's Basketball vs. Texas A&M International – 2 p.m.
· Nov. 25th (DH): Basketball vs St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake – 6 p.m./8 p.m.· Dec. 13
th: Women's Basketball vs. St. Edward's – 5 p.m. (Porky Clause/Toys for Tots)
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles, collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. Since beginning the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 452 million toys to more than 209 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leader in looking after less fortunate children at Christmas. Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 98 million toys valued at more than $694 million, plus provided promotion and support materials valued at over $8.5 million.
