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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – A dominate second half by #RV A&M-Commerce was too much to overcome as Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-8, 0-1 LSC) fell to the Lions (11-3, 1-1 LSC), 87-71, on Thursday evening at the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
 
A three-point onslaught nearly offset the Darrell Williams' 17 first half points and A&M-Commerce's 14 points off turnovers as the Javelinas scored 15 points from long distance to jump out to a 31-26 lead with 6:43 remaining in the opening frame. Two late triples gave Commerce a one-point edge heading into the half, 40-39. Jordan Jahr and Troy Jones scored eight points apiece in the stanza and Jahr pulled down five rebounds, three on the offensive end. The Javelinas dished out 10 assists on 16 made field goals, led by Don Thomas' three helpers in 13 minutes.
 
An 8-2 run from 15:48-12:49 blew the game open for the Lions as Commerce took a commanding 11-point lead and the Lions put a stamp on their first LSC win of the season, riding a 14-3 run to a 19-point lead with 3:51 left. The Lions outscored the Javelinas, 47-32, in the second and finished the game with 29 points off turnovers
 
With the victory, the Lions snapped an eight-game losing streak on Kingsville Hampton Inn Court and earned their first win in Kingsville since the 2002-03 season.
 
"We came out strong but it seemed like we ran out of gas in the second half," said head coach Johnny Estelle. "We did not execute the way that we wanted to and against a great team like Commerce, it is hard to dig yourself out of a double digit hole."
 
Brandon Etienne swatted away two shots in the game and Jones finished with a team-high 18 points and five rebounds. Weathers added 10 points off the bench and Jahr chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Thomas registered 10 points and four assists in 26 minutes.
 
For the Lions, two players scored 20-plus points, led by Williams' 26 points and 10 rebounds. Entering the game ranked fourth in the nation in defensive rebounds per game and double-doubles, Williams posted his ninth double-double of the season.
 
The Hogs head to No. 3/5 Tarleton State University (12-1, 0-1 LSC) on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Texans are coming off their first loss of the season at the hands of No. 19/22 Angelo State University, 78-60.
 
For full coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball, please follow @JavelinaMBB on Twitter and @JavelinaAthletics on Instagram, like our Facebook page (/JavelinaNation) and subscribe to our YouTube channel, JavelinaAthletics.
 
Notes: Starting for the Javelinas were Troy Jones, Jordan Jahr, Don Thomas, Duan Wright and Jamar Goodwin… TAMUK led by as much as seven in the first half, but entered halftime trailing by one… A&M-Commerce outscored the Hogs, 18-8, in the paint in the first half… Jones reached double figures in scoring for the 11^th time this season and eighth consecutive contest… the Lions lead the all-time series 67-55.