ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Men's Basketball) – Playing in its first game in over a week, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (4-5) went on two 7-0 runs in the second half to put a screeching halt to a three-game losing streak, defeating Eckerd College (4-3), 76-67, on Monday evening at the McArthur Center. 
 
Four players reached double figures for the Hogs in the first-ever matchup between the two programs. Troy Jones scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added a game-high nine rebounds. Jordan Jahr matched Jones for a team best 15 and Duan Wright (6-of-8) and Jamar Goodwin scored 12 apiece. Don Thomas finished with three steals and dished out four assists and Wright and Goodwin each swiped two passes.
 
A 7-0 run to begin the second half allowed the Javelinas to overcome their three-point deficit and take a 39-35 lead. Scoring seven unanswered for the second time in the frame, the Blue and Gold took its largest lead in the game, a 47-40 edge, with 12:32 remaining in the game. The Tritons could not make it less than a two-possession game as the defense continued to forced turnovers at will as Eckerd finished the evening with 21 turnovers.
 
Jerell Stevenson scored a game-high 21 points and Ray Darnell added 13 for the Tritons. Defensively, Malcolm Brunner Jr. swatted three shots and Stevenson recorded two blocks and three steals, but Texas A&M-Kingsville made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line, connecting on 22 of its 28 attempts from the charity stripe. After their early run to begin the second half, the Javelinas preserved their lead to down Eckerd.
 
The Javelinas get on the bus and travel to nearby University of Tampa for its inaugural battle versus the Spartans tomorrow at 6 p.m. CT. Live stats and video will be available and can be accessed by visiting the men's basketball schedule page on JavelinaAthletics.com.
 
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