LAWTON, Okla. (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (6-11, 1-4 LSC) nearly rallied from behind despite slow starts to both halves, draining 11 three-pointers but the Javelinas were tagged with a 78-71 loss to Cameron University (10-7, 2-3 LSC) on Wednesday evening at Aggie Gym.
DJ Weathers and
Duan Wright came off the bench with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists and
Jordan Jahr and
Troy Jones scored 12 points apiece. Jones added five offensive rebounds and Jahr pulled down nine boards.
Austen Bradshaw drained three triples for a season-high nine points. Jahr, Wright and Weathers each scored 10 points in the second half and Jahr pulled down eight of his rebounds in the second stanza.
The Javelinas were able to regain their composure and overtake the Aggies at the half, 31-30, after a three-pointer by Bradshaw. Cameron jumped out to a 6-0 lead but the Blue and Gold scored seven unanswered to take a 7-6 edge, while keeping the Aggies scoreless from 18:09-14:18. However, the Axe responded with a run of their own, pouring in 11 from 14:37-10:55 to retake a lead, 17-7. Jones went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line to lead all Texas A&M-Kingsville players with eight first half points.
Will West swiped two passes and Wright added one steal.
Deja vu struck early in the second half as a 15-0 run by the Aggies put the Javelinas on the wrong end of a 52-38 game with 12:17 remaining. A late surge by the Hogs brought the game within single digits with 4:04 left to play and a late three-pointer by Bradshaw cut TAMUK's deficit to six with 22 ticks remaining on the clock.
With the loss, the Javelinas are now 1-4 in conference play, while the Aggies improve to 2-3 in LSC action. Cameron has now won two consecutive games against Texas A&M-Kingsville dating back to last season and leads the all-time series 18-16.
Deondre Ray poured in a game-high 20 points and three other starters reached double figures.
TAMUK hosts No. 23/20 Midwestern State University (15-3, 4-0 LSC) on Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Weekend on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. All coaches and staff are encouraged to wear suits and sneakers in support of the American Cancer Society.
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