LAWTON, Okla. (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (7-3, 0-1 LSC) dropped its Lone Star Conference opener 78-71 to Cameron University (9-3, 2-1 LSC) on Saturday evening inside of Aggie Gym, snapping the Javs three-game winning streak.

 In a battle between the top defenses in the league, both clubs faired in the game overall offensively by shooting 44% from the floor. The Javelinas were in control for majority of the game, however fouls plagued the team in the second half as the Aggies made 20-of-25 from the free throw line. Trey Sumpter paced the Hogs for the sixth time this season with 16 points and recorded team-highs of two blocks and two steals. Caelan Neal finished with 12 points and two assists, followed by Duan Wright's nine points and team-best eight boards. 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Trey Sumpter, 16
Rebounds: Duan Wright, 8
Assists: Derrick Byrd, 3
Steals: Trey Sumpter, 2
Blocks: Trey Sumpter, 2

Cameron
Points: Christian Barrett, 19
Rebounds: Christian Barrett, 8
Assists: Trey Hall, 5
Steals: Two players with two steals
Blocks: Trey Hall, 2

1st Half
Both teams started slow offensively as they split six points evenly throughout the first five minutes of the game. However after the first media timeout, The Hogs scored their next 11 points in the paint, (minus one made free throw)  before Neal drained a triple to give the Hogs a 17-9 lead at the 10:29 mark. The Aggies kept the half in arms length, and forced a TAMUK timeout, though still trailing 23-19 with five minutes remaining in the half. Despite a late push from the Aggies, A&M-Kingsville led the entire first half and went into the locker room with a 33-28 lead. 

Wright and Taylor led the team with seven points and four rebounds each, followed by Neal and Sumpter who both scored five points with one made three-pointer under their belt. 

2nd Half
Neal came out of the break strong and scored seven points before the14:50 mark, but the Aggies continued to chip away at the lead and eventually got over the hump after a long-ball by Jordan Lewis, giving the home team a 49-46 lead. CU grew its lead to nine thanks to a 6-0 run before Derrick Byrd struck from deep to cut into the deficit, 57-51 with 8:21 remaining in the game. On two different occasions late, the Blue and Gold trimmed the lead down to two points, but it was not enough to overcome the Aggies, falling 78-71 in their conference opener.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The game featured one lead change.
• TAMUK led for 23:17. CU led for 11:37.
• This is the Hogs first loss of the season when leading at halftime and when scoring 70-plus points (was 4-0 and 5-0, respectively).
• In the second half, CU shot over 48% from the floor, 44% from three-point range and 80% at the charity stripe. The Hogs were outscored 50-38 in the half.

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…initial thoughts.…

"I believe we played hard but not always smart. The effort was there but we have to continue to get better. Cameron played hard and did a good job getting back in the game after we made our run in the first half. It was our first long road trip of the year and I believe we got tired at times. We will have to find a way to fight through it in order to get better."

…the upcoming opponent, Midwestern State.…
"Midwestern State is a well coached team that is always tough and physical. They seem to always have really good guards and very strong forwards and posts. We will have to execute, play hard and compete for the entire 40 minutes."
 

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 71, Cameron 78
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-3, 0-1 LSC), Cameron (9-3, 2-1 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 18-20 against Cameron
Location: Aggie Gym Lawton, Okla.
Time of Game: 4 p.m.

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