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PORTALES, N.M. (Men's Basketball) – The Javelinas cruised to a 16-point deficit and despite a fierce rally by Eastern New Mexico University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville was able to escape Greyhound Arena with a 75-67 victory on Wednesday evening.
 
With the victory, TAMUK improved to 6-9 overall and 1-2 in Lone Star Conference play. Eastern New Mexico falls to 7-9 and 0-3 in conference action.
 
Will West's capped off a career night with 14 points and eight rebounds – four offensive. Don Thomas led all Javelina players with 19 points, going 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
 
A quick start featured the Hogs jump out to a 27-18 lead after hitting six of eight field goals with 8:02 remaining in the first. Following with a 7-0 run by the Javelinas, Kingsville led by as much as 11, while holding ENMU scoreless for 4:02. In the first half, the Greyhounds were limited to 26 percent shooting and Texas A&M-Kingsville went 13-for-40 from the field, heading into the locker rooms with a 37-26 lead. The defense closed out the half on a high as Eastern New Mexico went 2-for-13 to close out the stanza and turned the ball over three times in the final 2:47.
 
Adonis Bailey led all first half scorers with eight and Jordan Jahr added seven. Jahr and Jamar Goodwin pulled down four boards apiece and the Javelina bench outscored the Greyhounds', 18-to-6. Fifteen of TAMUK's points came off ENMU turnovers as the trap picked up seven steals.
 
West was the first to reach double figures as his and-one gave the freshman 11 points and a 12-point edge for the Javelinas, 42-29, with 17:50 remaining. The lead hit 16 following Thomas' three-pointer with 16:14 left. However, a 9-0 run by ENMU cut its deficit to 54-46 with 8:51 remaining. Troy Jones finished with 11 points (all in the second half) and added five second half rebounds.
 
Shooting 50 percent in the second half, the Greyhounds cut the game to a one-possession contest but Thomas' late free throws clinched Kingsville's first conference win of the season.
 
The Javelinas return to Kingsville Hampton Inn Court to host West Texas A&M University on Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. Live stats will be available.
 
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