SAN ANGELO, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Leading by six with 3:56 remaining in regulation following
DJ Weathers' free throws, Stephens Arena at the Junell Center looked to be the stage for an upset as Texas A&M University-Kingsville held a two-possession edge over No. 9/14 Angelo State University. However, the Rams strung together a run to avoid a setback at the hands of the Javelinas, draining a three-pointer with a second remaining to defeat the Hogs, 74-71, Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Rams improve to 4-3 in Lone Star Conference play and 16-3 overall while the Javelinas drop to 1-6 in conference action and 9-9 in 2015-16.
The Javelinas were down one with 31 seconds left after the Rams scored eight unanswered points, six by Quay King. Weathers hit the first of two free throws with six ticks remaining and after missing the second, ASU called a timeout. King, who previously put the Rams on his back to bring them back into the game, hit the three-pointer that gave the home crowd a three-point victory over the Javelinas.
Weathers led the Hogs with 17 points and three others reached double figures;
Cris Boleware, who finished with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds,
Will West, 15 points on 5-8 shooting and
Troy Jones, who posted his third double-double of the season and second consecutive 10-and-10 game.
Texas A&M-Kingsville went 16-30 in the first half and went into the locker room trailing 41-37. Boleware scored 12 points on 5-8 shooting in the opening stanza and added three rebounds and three assists.
Elliot Taylor added four points and a blocked shot off the bench.
The Javelinas answered a quick jumper by Angelo State with six unanswered points to tie the game at 43 with 16:44 remaining. Down seven with 9:53 left to play, Texas A&M-Kingsville showed its resiliency, going on a 9-0 run to take its first lead of the second frame, 61-59, with 6:29 remaining. The Rams came back twice to tie the game before TAMUK extended its lead to six with 3:56 remaining.
The Rams were able to clinch the win in the first of two regular season matchups on the three by King. West scored 10 points in the second half. The second game between these two clubs is Senior Night for the Javelinas, scheduled for Feb. 27 in Kingsville.
Tre Bennett led all scorers with 19 points on 6-10 shooting and Steadman Allen added 15 points by going 6-10 from the field.
The Javelinas begin the second half of Lone Star Conference play at Eastern New Mexico University on Feb. 3. Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated the Greyhounds in Kingsville earlier this month.
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