DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Men's Basketball) – A day after breaking out for 19 points,
Cris Boleware connected on a game winner with 1.6 seconds left to lead Texas A&M University-Kingsville (8-3) to a 56-54 victory over Thomas University (5-8) Sunday in the consolation game of the Daytona Mitsubishi/Kia Shootout in the ICI Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle University (7-1).
With the win, the Javelinas conclude nonconference play 8-3 and are off to the best start since 2009-10 when Texas A&M-Kingsville began the season 10-2.
Trey Sumpter posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds and
DJ Weathers led all players with 16 points.
In the first half, Sumpter secured his first double-double of his Javelina career with 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Hogs to a 29-23 advantage.
JaMarkus Horace scored five points off the bench in the opening frame. Texas A&M-Kingsville led by as much as 14 in the first (3:00 left) but Thomas was able to put together a run to cut its deficit to six at the half.
The Night Hawks turned the tables in the second half and took a two-point lead with 1:06 remaining, their first lead in the game, on a three-pointer by Javoris Cooks. Weathers returned the favor on the ensuing possession, draining a triple of his own to give TAMUK a one-point lead with 42 ticks left.
Weathers then forced a Mike Lyons turnover and Thomas fouled Boleware, sending the junior to the line with 14 seconds remaining. Boleware drained both to extend Kingsville's lead to three, but the Night Hawks were able to tie the contest at 54-all with a three by Adonai Rogers with nine seconds left to play, allowing the Javelinas an opportunity to run a final play in regulation. Boleware put an end to the game with a jumper with 1.6 seconds remaining, clinching the eighth victory of the regular season for the Javelinas with a 56-54 win over Thomas.
The NAIA Night Hawks struggled shooting the ball in part to the trap head coach
Johnny Estelle likes to run defensively. Cooks led TU with 11 points and Rogers finished with nine points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Javelinas begin Lone Star Conference play on Jan. 6 at A&M-Commerce.
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