KINGSVILLE, Texas (Women's Basketball) – A shorthanded Javelina squad shot 47.4 percent from three-point range but Texas A&M University-Commerce (9-3, 4-1 LSC) collected 57 rebounds in a 78-71 victory over Texas A&M University-Kingsville (7-4, 2-3 LSC) Thursday evening at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
Kaylee Kana posted her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Joining the senior in double figures were
Meesha Wade (17 points, three steals) and
Tee Moore (11 points, four rebounds, four assists).
WHAT HEAD COACH WADE SCOTT SAID
ABOUT BEING SHORT HANDED…
"Without
Jaiton Walls and
Angelica Wilson (out due to injury), our shots became tougher. With the change to our rotation, we are counting on a lot of key players to contribute."
PLAYING A TOUGH A&M-COMMERCE TEAM
"Hats off to the Lions and coach Jason Burton. They were the more aggressive team tonight, primarily on the offensive glass."
REBOUNDING…
"With the loss of two of our key bigs, we took a hit on the glass but the Lions capitalized on second chance buckets. I was proud of the way our girls fought back, especially after that late run by A&M-Commerce.
ON ADJUSTMENTS FOR SATURDAY
"We do not need to make wholesale changes. We played well in spurts and held a lead in the second half. Unfortunately, we hit a rough patch, but we'll be able to continue to improve."
FIRST PERIOD
A new year didn't slow down the Hogs from long distance as A&M-Kingsville continued to use the three-ball as its bread and butter. The Javelinas were 4-of-6 in the first, highlighted by a buzzer beating half court banker by
Shaq Debose to give Kingsville the 22-21 lead after one. Prior to the triple,
Ope Ibrahim swatted away the go-ahead Commerce bucket. Wade led the way with seven points, Kana added five points, three rebounds and two blocked shots and Debose made both of her three-point attempts.
Joslyn Smith came off the bench with four points and four rebounds – three offensive.
SECOND PERIOD
The back and forth continued as both teams caught fire early in the period. The Lions were able to take a 37-35 lead with 4:36 left to play. At the half, the Hogs trailed 42-39. Kana finished the first half with nine points, five rebounds and two blocks,
Lily Hospers led all players with three blocks and Wade posted nine points.
THIRD PERIOD
The Javelinas scored five unanswered on Wade's jumper and a corner triple by Kana to regain a 44-42 lead with 8:36 remaining. The run put the duo in double figures with 11 points and 12 points, respectively.
The lead reached five heading into the under-five media but A&M-Commerce closed the period on a 9-0 run to take a 59-53 lead into the final period of regulation.
FOURTH PERIOD
Moore's jumper from the wing ended the Lions' 15-0 run but Jenna Price proved to be a presence down low, picking up multiple rebounds that led to second chance buckets. AMC led 68-56 with 8:09 remaining in the game.
An and-one by Kana at the 5:44 mark cut the deficit to seven and moments later, a second chance bucket by Wade cut the Lions' lead to four. The and-one followed Kana's 10
th rebound, giving the senior her second double-double of the season.
A&M-COMMERCE
Artaejah Gay led all players with 20 points despite struggling to shoot the ball (9-of-23). Khala Riley finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Jenna Price posted a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Javelinas host Tarleton State University (4-7, 3-2 LSC) Saturday at 4 p.m. The TexAnns fell to No. 5/2 Angelo State University, 81-74, Thursday.
Live stats and video will be available for the game as
Kevin Piel brings you the action on the Javelina Sports Network.
THE GAME
ALL-TIME SERIES BREAKDOWN
TSU holds the edge versus A&M-Kingsville 25-18.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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@TAMUKwbb on Instagram, like the
/JavelinaWBB Facebook page, and visit the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville Athletics at JavelinaAthletics.com.
