LAREDO, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-2) looks to end Texas A&M International University's (5-2) five-game win streak on Dec. 12 when the Javelinas invade Laredo for a 3 p.m. South Central Regional matchup inside the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. Two days later, the Javelinas will host St. Mary's University (4-3) at 7 p.m. inside the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
The Javelinas handed the Dustdevils one of their two losses in the second game of the season, defeating TAMIU, 56-53, in Kingsville. In the game,
DJ Weathers poured in 18 points to lead all scorers and
Jamar Goodwin finished with two steals and two blocks.
On the other hand, StMU gave the Hogs their first loss of the season, 63-54, on Nov. 18. In the game,
JaMarkus Horace swatted away two shots,
Troy Jones posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Weathers and Goodwin reached double figures with 16 points and 10 points, respectively.
Jones leads the Javelinas with 13.6 points and is second with 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor. Weathers chips in 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds and Goodwin adds 9.3 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Cris Boleware leads the team with 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per contest, tied for the most swipes/game with Goodwin.
The Javelina defense swarms its opponents in the perimeter, limiting their opponents to 25.5 percent shooting from three-point range, seventh best in all of Division II.
Scouting the DustdevilsAfter back-to-back losses in Kingsville during the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Men's Basketball Tip-Off Challenge, the Dustdevils have won five consecutive games. As a unit, TAMIU is first in Division II in rebound margin (14.6), third in field goal percentage (52.4), fifth in assist to turnover ratio (1.67), and seventh in scoring margin (19.1) and assists per game (18.9). Arkeem Joseph is averaging 17.0 points on 61.3 percent shooting and 9.3 rebounds. Four other Dustdevils average double figures and Anthony Alston leads the club with 5.6 assists per game. Deonnte Breedlove's 50.0 percent shooting from long distance ranks 21
st in the nation as does his 3.55 assist to turnover ratio.
Scouting the RattlersThe 4-3 Rattlers are coming off back-to-back losses and will enter Kingsville on Monday after a 10-day layover of their own. St. Mary's fell to Lone Star Conference members Midwestern State University on Dec. 1 and Eastern New Mexico University on Dec. 4. Pacing the defending Heartland Conference champions is Kriston Minor with 16.9 points per game. Minor led all scorers in the first meeting earlier this season with 19. Trey Hall is averaging 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds and Isaiah Parros has averages of 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.9 steals. His 2.9 steals per game are 12
th most in the nation.
StMU is seventh in DII in scoring defense, holding opponents to 63.3 points per game. The defense is also 19
th in blocked shots per game (4.9), 30
th in steals (9.1) and 17
th in turnovers forced (18.43). Offensively, the 15.29 offensive rebounds per game is 15
th most in the country.
Live stats and video will be available for both games and can be accessed by visiting
www.JavelinaAthletics.com, the official home of Javelina athletics.
For full coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball, please follow
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