LAREDO, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (2-0) defeated Texas A&M International University (3-3) on a last second shot Tuesday night at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building.

The Javelinas fought their way through adversity to earn this win seeing that they committed 22 turnovers. However, they ended the game shooting 40% from the floor, 30% from three and a consistent 66.7 in each half. TAMUK improves to 17-5 in the all-time series against the Dustdevils and have a week to prepare for the second meeting between the two clubs. Marcus Frazier was the hero of the game as he led the team with 11 points and two steals. Nine of his points came in the second half including the game winning shot to clinch the win. Christian Bambrook was next in scoring with all nine of his points coming from three-point range. Justin Jones and Duan Wright both finished with eight points and Trey Sumpter led with eight boards. 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Marcus Frazier, 11
Rebounds: Trey Sumpter, 8
Assists: Derrick Byrd, 4
Steals: Marcus Frazier, 2
Blocks: Four players with one block

Texas A&M International
Points: Jordan VanDekop, 18
Rebounds: Bunja Yaboe, 8
Assists: Bunja Yaboe, 4
Steals: Kenny Hatch, 4
Blocks: Bunja Yaboe, 3

1st Half

Despite the Dustdevils being in the bonus with 11:26 on the clock, the Hogs kept the score close until Wright hit a three-pointer that sparked a 6-0 run giving them a 17-12 lead. Later in the half, Thomas Diaz goes on his own five-point tangent that puts the Hogs up by a touchdown which was the largest lead of the half. That 24-17 score stood for over four minutes before TAMIU tied the game at 24 with all seven points coming from Jordan VanDekop to end the half.

2nd Half

After TAMIU jumped out to a small lead to begin the half, Jones knocked down a triple to give the Hogs the lead and Bambrook followed by connecting from beyond the arc to grow their lead 43-37. The Dustdevils fired back with a 12-2 burst to go ahead 49-45 with 6:14 left to play. Yet the Javs continued to push back after the third three-pointer of the half from Bambrook trimmed the home team's lead down to 58-56 and a few possessions later, Frazier's bunny tied it up at 58 with 25 ticks left to play. With 9.5 seconds on the clock, the Hogs inbounded the ball and sprinted down the court. The ball found Frazier's hands again and he sunk the pull up jumper to give the Javelinas the lead and ultimately the win, 60-58! 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• TAMUK shot over 40% in the first half but also had 17 turnovers.
• Christian Bambrook and Justin Jones scored all of their points in the second half as they combined for four conversions from downtown.
• In the second half, the Javelinas was out rebounded 21-17 and shot worse from the floor and from three-point land in the 60-58 win.

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…how his team grinder out the win.…

"Tonight was our third game in five days. So with one day of prep, playing against a tough and well coach team like TAMIU, I was proud of our fight and will to win! Our bench was huge!!! Justin Jones, Robert Christian, Christian Bambrook and Thomas Diaz were big. This is a unique team but the good thing is that there is so much room for improvement and these guys know it. We just have to keep getting better 1% everyday."

…the heroics from Marcus Frazier.…

"I am extremely proud of Marcus Frazier! He was huge and showed heart and leadership in the second half tonight."
 

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 60, Texas A&M International 58
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-0), Texas A&M International (3-3)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 17-5 against Texas A&M International
Location: TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building Laredo, Texas
Time of Game: 7 p.m.

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