KINGSVILLE, Texas (Women's Basketball) – Kaylee Kana finished with seven rebounds, four blocks, three assists and a steal in Saturday's setback to Tarleton State University (8-6, 2-2 LSC) as Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-7, 0-2 LSC) fell to the TexAnns, 68-55, inside the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
Kana's four blocks are the most by the junior forward this season.
Kaylin Roher recorded a team-high 17 points and went 5-9 from three-point range and
Jamesha Wade posted 11 points, three rebeounds and three assists.
A quick start by the Javelinas allowed the home squad to take a 16-8 lead through one.
Joslyn Smith came off the bench with four points, two steals and two rebounds in the opening frame.
Tarleton State attempted to rally back in the second, but Roher scored nine points, all from three-point range, to end the first half with 11 points as Texas A&M-Kingsville entered the locker room with a 28-25 lead. Wade dished three dimes in the opening 20 minutes and Kana swatted away two shots.
An 8-2 run with 4:21 remaining in the third gave the TexAnns their first lead since the early stages of the first period, but
TaSheena Moore answered back with a triple as TAMUK regained the lead, 35-33. Seconds later,
Ashley Viera drove to the bucket for two to extend Kingsville's lead to four with 3:46 left in the quarter.
Kana closed out the third stanza with back-to-back defensive stops, blocking her fourth shot of the game at the 0:55 mark and taking a charge with nine seconds remaining. Through three, the Javelinas led 41-39.
Trading points in the fourth, the Hogs took a one-point lead on
Kyra Bauer's mid-range jumper with just over 7:00 left to play in regulation. Tarleton State strung together a late rally to seal the victory, 68-55, to improve to .500 in conference play.
Bailey Wipff led all scorers with 20 points and added three steals and two assists and Raven McGrath swiped four passes.
The Javelinas conclude their brief homestand hosting Eastern New Mexico University on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
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