KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville's (4-1) dominant second half was not enough to overcome Ouachita Baptist University (3-1, 1-1 GAC) on the day after Thanksgiving, marking its first loss of the season, 83-80 in the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center.

Texas A&M-Kingsville shot better than its opponent in all facets except at the free throw line on Friday night. Duan Wright played a well-rounded game as he led the team with 19 points and recorded two assists, steals and blocks. Caelan Neal was efficient as he went 5-of-6 from the floor for 16 points, had two steals and tied freshman Robert Christian for a team-high of three dimes. Christian orchestrated his best game of the season as he gathered a season-best 12 points and led the team on the glass with seven rebounds, while also accumulating two steals. Trey Sumpter also scored in double figures dropping a dozen points and also had two assists and steals.  
 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Duan Wright, 19
Rebounds: Robert Christian, 7
Assists: Two players with three assists
Steals: Four players with two steals
Blocks: Two players with two blocks

Ouachita Baptist
Points: Two Players with 20 points
Rebounds: Lakee Westbrook, 8
Assists: Two players with five assists
Steals: Carven Holcombe, 3
Blocks: Three players with one block

1st Half

A shooting clinic took place in the first half as both teams made two three-pointers apiece within the first five minutes of the game. With the score tied at ten, Ouachita Baptist went on an 8-0 run before Caelan Neal ended it with another Javelina triple. Unfortunately, the Tigers continued to shoot the cover off of the ball and was led by Justin McCleary's 14 points who went 4-of-5 from downtown. Neal paced the Hogs with ten points and two assists and Wight had a highlight reel half with seven points, but the team went into the locker room down 48-31. 

2nd Half

The Javelinas came on the floor with a purpose by going on a 28-19 tear to open the final half. Trey Sumpter led the way in that run with ten points and the Hogs trimmed the double-digit deficit to eight, 67-59. After hitting seven threes in the first half, the Tigers went o'for from three-point range after intermission and committed 14 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Hogs hit five threes in the stanza including two from Wright who led the all scorers with 12 points in half No. 2. As a unit the Blue and Gold shot 59% from the floor while nearly silencing Ouachita Baptist shooters after a dominating first half. However, the Tigers were able to escape despite seeing their lead shrink to five with 2:11 left to play and prevailed 83-80, handing the Javelinas their first loss of the 2016-17 season.
 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Hogs outscored the Tigers 49-35 in the second half.
• TAMUK out-hustled OBU as they outscored them 22-16 in the paint and 18-6 off of turnovers, all in the second half.
• After a jitter first half with nine turnovers, the Javelinas only had five in the second half.
• The Tigers went 0-of-6 with the long ball after hitting seven triples in the first half.
• TAMUK's defense showed up again as they forced 21 turnovers in the game.
• Ouachita Baptist won the battle on the boards 45-27.
• The Javelinas led for a total of 14 seconds in the game and the scored was tied for 1:59.
• Robert Christian recorded season highs in points, rebounds and steals.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 80, Ouachita Baptist 83
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-1), Ouachita Baptist (3-1, 1-1 GAC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 2-1 against Ouachita Baptist
Location: The SPEC Kingsville, Texas
Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.

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