LAREDO, Texas (Women's Basketball) – Points were at a premium in Texas A&M University-Kingsville's (0-1) season opener at Texas A&M International University (1-0) on Monday evening as both clubs struggled shooting the ball. However, Kingsville's second unit outscored the Dustdevils' bench, 28-7, and the Javelinas entered halftime with a 25-23 lead. Clutch three-point shooting by TAMIU allowed Texas A&M International to rally from behind and claim a 56-48 victory over the Javelinas at the TAMIU Convocation and Recreation Center.
Despite shooting just 32 percent from the field, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (0-1) led for most of the game as the Dustdevils ended the first half 9-of-34. Leading by as much as six in the second half, TAMIU's long distance jumpers continued to drop, and with 5:53 remaining in the game, the Javelinas were on the wrong end of a 41-40 ballgame.
Lauren Jay followed with back-to-back jumpers to offset one of four triples hit by Stella Ghazarian in the frame, but Mason Hawk's three-pointer gave the Dustdevils a three-point edge with 3:59 left.
Down five with 2:40 left to play, second chance opportunities allowed the Javelinas to score cut their deficit to one following
Kyra Bauer's layup off the dish from
Micah Weaver and the Dustdevils sealed the victory with two steals in the closing minutes.
All 10 of Jay's points came in the second half and the senior added five rebounds – four offensive – in the period. Six of
Ashley Viera's rebounds came in the second frame and the junior finished with eight boards. Weaver scored eight points on 4-of-8 shooting and added four assists and three rebounds,
Ope Ibrahim scored six points and pulled down six rebounds in her collegiate debut and
Jennifer Ortiz saw 20 minutes of action, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds.
For the Dustdevils, Ghazarian and Jessica Prieto combined for 27 points on seven three-pointers.
The Blue and Gold head to Edinburg to face NCAA Division I affiliate University of Texas-Pan American (1-2) on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. 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.
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