KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2-0) closes out opening weekend unblemished as they prevailed against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (0-2) 72-62 at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center- Kingsville Hampton Inn Court Saturday night.

The Javelinas came out victorious in a chippy and high intense game against the Hardrockers. Collectively, the Hogs shot 34.4% from the field and 36% from three-point range. However, it was the impressive 79.2% at the free-throw line and strong guard play that propelled the Javs to a ten-point victory over South Dakota Mines. 

Duan Wright is working his way back to his original form as he notched his first double-double of the 2016-17 season with 23 points and 11 rebounds. He was also perfect at the line as he knocked down ten freebees including eight in the second half. Derrick Byrd had a great day as a floor general as he finished with 16 points and tied Caelan Neal with three assists who also finished with ten points and a game-high of four steals. Trey Sumpter was the final Hoggie with double-digit scoring as he shot 50% from both the field and from three and led the team with two blocks.  

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Duan Wright, 23
Rebounds: Duan Wright, 11
Assists: Two players with three assists
Steals: Caelan Neal, 4
Blocks: Trey Sumpter, 2

South Dakota Mines
Points: Konor Kulas, 20
Rebounds: Konor Kulas, 12
Assists: Konor Kulas, 3
Steals: Three players with one steal
Blocks: Two players with one block 

1st Half

Shots would not fall early in the half for the Javelinas as the Hardrockers jumped out to a 20-11 lead at the 9:31 mark. Fortunately, that is when the half's  turning point took place as the Hogs battled back by going on a 7-0 run that then expanded 13-4, giving the Javelinas a 24-22 lead highlighted by consecutive triples from Christian Bambrook and Neal. TAMUK and SDMT went into the half tied at 28 with Wright leading all players with ten points and five rebounds. Neal and Bambrook each went into the locker room with five points. 

2nd Half

Byrd and Sumpter were the players responsible for setting the tone early after the intermission as they combined to score the clubs first 14 points of the half. The Javelinas begin to pull away with 7:55 left to play after Wright hit from deep, giving the Javelinas a 54-44 lead, the largest margin at that point. The biggest difference in the second half of play was how the Hogs attacked the paint and got to the free throw line. The team went 15-of-18 from the charity stripe in the second half alone as Wright led the way with a perfect 8-of-8. With all of those factors on the offensive end, combined with holding the Hardrockers to 2-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, the Hoggies improve to 2-0 with a 72-62 win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• For the second consecutive game, the Hogs found their rhythm in the second half as they shot 40% from the floor, 38.5% from three and 83.3% at the line. In the first half, they shot 29.4%, 33.3%, and 66.7%, respectively.
• The Hogs forced 19 turnovers that equated to 15 points and outscored their opponent 9-2 in fast break points.
• TAMUK was beat on the glass 48-39 and outscored in the paint 30-22.
• Duan Wright tied his individual career-highs with 23 points and 11 rebounds in a single game. However, his three three-point field goals is a new personal single-game record.
• Derrick Byrd had a quiet 13 points in the second half.
• Christian Bambrook's five rebounds were all on the offensive glass.

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…the initial thoughts about the game.…

"Well, we are definitely a work in progress but the potential to be good is there. The last part of developing chemistry is gaining game time experience as a team. Like any team, we have strengths and weaknesses. We just have to keep getting better 1% everyday."

…the production from Duan Wright.…

"I think for us to be a good team Duan has to continue to get better. He is coming off the redshirt year and it will take time to get back to where he was before the injury. The good news is that he has shown signs in the first two games of what we think he can do this year."

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 72, South Dakota Mines 62
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-0), South Dakota Mines (0-2)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 1-0 against South Dakota Mines
Location: Kingsville Hampton Inn Court Kingsville, Texas
Time of Game: 8:20 p.m.

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