Texas A&M - Kingsville Athletics

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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Women's Basketball) – Shooting woes put the Javelinas in comeback mode in the second half and despite going 8-of-8 from the charity stripe in the fourth period, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-5) fell to Texas A&M International University (3-5), 45-39, on Saturday evening inside the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
 
The Dustdevils struggled shooting the ball as well, going 15-of-54 for the game but Keiona Mathews' 17 points and 12 rebounds was enough for TAMIU to salvage the third game of the 2015-16 series between International and Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas took the series, 2-1.
 
Jamesha Wade finished with eight points and six rebounds for the Javelinas and as a team, the Hogs were 16-of-20 from the line.
 
Kingsville held a 10-9 lead after the opening period and followed with 17 points in the second to head into the half with a 27-21 lead.
 
The Javelinas limited the Dustdevils to 25.6 percent shooting in the first half. Wade recorded eight points and six rebounds and Lily Hospers had six boards of her own in the first half. Defensively, TaSheena Moore was a menace with three steals in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The third featured TAMIU score eight unanswered points to take a 29-27 lead heading into the final period.
 
The scoreless streak ended after Ashley Viera connected on both free throws with 5:38 left in the game to cut Kingsville's deficit to two, 31-29. Kyra Bauer, who entered the game 23-of-25 from the charity stripe, connected on both free throws with 4:27 remaining to once again make it a two-point ballgame. Following a Dustdevil layup, Kaylee Kana hit both of her free throws to cut it to 35-33 with 3:45 left.
 
Texas A&M International was able to force a turnover on the defensive end that led to a fast break layup for a four-point lead with 2:31 remaining. The Javelinas continued to struggle shooting the ball but took advantage at the charity stripe as Kaylin Roher's two free throws at the 1:10 mark cut TAMIU's lead to 39-35.
 
Mathews put the team on her back, scoring 11 of her 17 points in the second half to extend International's lead to five. With 25.7 seconds remaining, Jessica Prieto drained two free throws for the Dustdevils to clinch the game for Laredo.
 
The Javelinas have two exhibitions remaining in 2015 – Lamar University on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.  and the University of Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.
 
For full coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball, please follow @TAMUKWBB on Twitter and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, like the official Facebook page of Javelina women's basketball (/JavelinaWBB) and subscribe to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.