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STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – There are no breaks in the loaded Lone Star Conference and the quick turnaround begins for Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-8, 0-1 LSC) as the Javelinas look to hand preseason favorite Tarleton State University (12-1, 0-1 LSC) back-to-back losses on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. inside Wisdom Gymnasium.
 
Tarleton State is ranked No. 3 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the Division II Sports Information Directors of American Poll but come off a 78-60 loss to No. 19/22 Angelo State University on Wednesday. The Javelinas could not overcome a slow start to the second half, falling to A&M-Commerce (receiving votes), 87-71, on Thursday evening.
 
Against the Lions, Brandon Etienne came off the bench with two blocks, four assists and three rebounds. Four players reached double figures but Commerce made the most of its free throw opportunities, going 21-of-24 from the charity stripe while the Javelinas attempted seven. In the game, Troy Jones extended his double digit scoring streak to eight consecutive games as the forward finished with 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Texans swept the regular season series last year and are 34-22 all-time against Texas A&M-Kingsville. In Wisdom Gymnasium, TSU has earned five straight victories and are 17-3 on their home floor since Lonn Reisman took over in 1993.  
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=68340
Video: http://www.tarletonsports.com/watch/?Live=351
Twitter: @JavelinaMBB
Hashtags: GoBlueBeGold and LSCmbb
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Javelina-Nation/294553234060234
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-qaO6WkwQOg9oQdaQw-UJg
 
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
#5 Don Thomas – Appeared in all 13 games, making eight starts… scoring in double figures five times, including 20 in win over #RV St. Mary's (Nov. 19)… averaging 7.3 points per game, 2.6 assists, 1.3 rebounds and shooting 42 percent from three-point range… LAST TIME OUT: 10 points, three assists and one steal vs. A&M-Commerce (Jan. 8)
 
#55 Jamar Goodwin – Collected 11 starts in 12 games… leads the Javelinas in steals per game (1.8) and blocks/game (1.0)…  averaging 11.8 points per game, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists… scored in double figures seven times this season, including three 20-plus point performances… scored 21 points in team debut versus Lake Erie (Nov. 14)… followed with 20 points against Henderson State (Nov. 16)… career-high 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting vs. No. 25 Our Lady of the Lake (Nov. 25)… LAST TIME OUT: five points and one block in 18 minutes of action vs. A&M-Commerce (Jan. 8).
 
#13 Duan Wright – Averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.3 assists and shooting 50 percent from the floor in 12 games (all starts)… scored 16 points in win over Northwest Nazarene (Nov. 28)… back-to-back double digit scoring games versus Eckerd (Dec. 15) and Tampa (Dec. 16)... LAST TIME OUT: five points and three rebounds vs. A&M-Commerce (Jan. 8).
 
#31 Jordan Jahr – Appeared and started in all 13 games… averaging 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game… shooting 50 percent from the floor and 85 percent from the free throw line… eight double-digit scoring performances, including 21 in win over Schreiner (Jan. 3)… scored 10 points and added six rebounds and two blocks off the bench in first of two games versus TSU last season (Jan. 11)… scored five points in second game… LAST TIME OUT: 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists vs. A&M-Commerce (Jan. 8).
 
#1 Troy Jones – Has seen action in all 13 games, starting 12… leads the team in scoring (15.1 points), field goal percentage (66.9), rebounds (7.3) and double-doubles (two)… leads the conference in field goal percentage… scored career-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting in win over Schreiner (Jan. 3) and added seven rebounds, two assists and one block… ranks seventh in NCAA Division II in field goal percentage… scored 18 points on nine made field goals in LSC opener vs. A&M-Commerce (Jan. 8).
 
SCOUTING THE TEXANS
One of the better defensive teams in the nation, Tarleton State ranks second in Division II in points allowed per game (58.2) and 15^th in blocked shots per game (5.1). Four players average double figures, led by Mo Lee's 11.8. Michael Hardge scores 11.1 points per contest and shoots 40 percent from three-point range, while TaShawn Mabry and Davene Carter combine for 11.8 boards per contest.
 
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