Texas A&M - Kingsville Athletics

KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (1-0) topped Black Hills State University (0-1) 75-59 to kickoff the 2016-17 season at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center- Kingsville Hampton Inn Court on Friday night.

Texas A&M-Kingsville gave the fans a lot to look forward to after the way they performed in the season opener against Black Hills State. The Javelinas defense held the Yellow Jackets shooting to 33% from the floor and 25% from three-point land as they shot 40% overall and connected on nine three-pointers.

In the first meeting between the two programs in their schools history, Trey Sumpter led the Hogs with 21 points, seven rebounds and five made three-point field goals, all career-high numbers. Duan Wright followed with ten points and added four assists and four rebounds. Transfer Caelan Neal played well in his Hog debut, finishing with nine points, three assist and a team-high of three steals, while Derrick Byrd, his teammate from Butler CC, set the standard with five dimes and added six points. Marcus Frazier scored seven points, while Robert Stevenson was a force in the paint with three blocks as well as one of four players who scored six points. 

"I would like to thank our fans that came out tonight," said by head coach Johnny Estelle. "I know it was tough attending and supporting the Javelinas during three sporting events today. With their support, the Javelina Nation went 3-0!! Go Javs!" 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points:Trey Sumpter, 21
Rebounds:Trey Sumpter, 7
Assists: Derrick Byrd, 5
Steals: Caelan Neal, 3
Blocks: Robert Stevenson, 3

Black Hills State
Points:Two players with 13 points
Rebounds: Fraser Malcolm, 13
Assists: Wyatt Krogman , 4
Steals: Five players with one steal
Blocks: None

1st Half

The Hogs set the tone early defensively as they picked the Yellow Jackets pockets six times and forced 15 total turnovers. However, there seemed to be some first half jitters offensively as TAMUK shot 31% from the floor, 3-of-13 from beyond the arc and only had three free throw attempts. Although BHS had more second chance points despite being out rebounded 6-4 on the offensive glass, the difference in the half was the Javelinas outscoring their opponent 13-4 off of turnovers and 10-4 from bench players. Sumpter, Byrd and Robert Christian each had four points to lead the Javs into the intermission.

2nd Half

Within the first three minutes of the half, Sumpter knocked down two treys and a tip-in to ignite the Hoggies offense who shot over 50% in the second half. The Javelinas held the lead the entire half after the last tie occurred with 19:21 on the clock. Wright came alive with eight points in the half including an emphatic dunk to get the crowd into the game, and Byrd along with Neal fed the offense as they combined for six dimes. But the night was stolen by Sumpter who after failing to connect from three-point range in the first half, nailed five of the six threes made by the Javelinas. The Hogs ended the half on a 12-2 run as they opened the 2016-17 season with a 75-59 win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• TAMUK outscored BHS bench overall 25-9, 17-8 off of turnovers and 30-22 in the paint.
• The Javelinas was in control for much of all of the game as they held the lead for 29 and a half minutes.
• The Hogs outscored the Yellow Jackets 50-37 in the second half and shot 12-of-20 from the free throw line after going 0-3 in the first half.
• Trey Sumpter hit a career-high of five made three-pointers and 21 points.
• In his first action since 2014-15 season, Duan Wright scored ten points, dished our four assists and collected four rebounds.
• Butler CC transfers Byrd and Neal combined for eight total assists

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…the difference offensively in the second half.…

"We settled down and started trusting the offense more. In basketball, there are a lot of adjustments. Among the ten we played, only five have played in our program before. One of the five, Duan Wright, was out last year due to a shoulder injury. Another guy, Elliot Taylor, did not play a lot last year. So when it comes to defining roles and adjusting to our system it takes time."

…the production from the bench.…

"In my past championship teams, we always recruited and developed a strong bench. Hopefully, this team can continue to improve and utilize our overall quality of depth to our advantage. It's a long season and we will need everyone of those guys!"

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 75, Black Hills State 59
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (1-0), Black Hills State (0-1)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 1-0 against Black Hills State
Location: Kingsville Hampton Inn Court Kingsville, Texas
Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.

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