KINGSVILLE, Texas – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (1-0) opened the 2017-18 season with a convincing 71-53 win over South Dakota Mines (0-1) on Friday night at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville continued its ball-hawking defensive pressure from a season ago and showed their depth in the home opener against South Dakota Mines. The Javelinas outscored their opponent 22-9 from the bench, 38-18 in the paint, and forced a total of 25 turnovers for 26 points. The home team shot just under 50 percent from the field and held the Hardrockers to a .386 clip.
 
In his first career start with the Javelinas, Christian Bambrook led the team with 12 points, while gathering four rebounds and three blocks in the game. Robert Stevenson was shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds and paced the team with four blocks. Trey Sumpter finished with nine points, while both Derrick Byrd and Will West logged eight points each.
  
First Half 
The Hogs jumped out to an early 17-7 lead highlighted by a 7-0 run. The margin grew 29-14 at the 7:47 mark after back-to-back fastbreak dunks from Elton Dyer and Sumpter to raise the crowd to their feet. Sumpter continued to come on strong towards the end of the frame, nailing a jumper and a triple from the corner in what became another 7-0 run. Mines responded with a small burst to conclude the half, but still entered the locker room down 38-27.

Both teams shot 53 percent from the floor, but the Hogs owned the paint with a 22-6 advantage. Defensively, they did not give the Hardrockers room to breathe, forcing 17 turnovers for 18 points. Sumpter led Kingsville with seven points followed by Christian Bambrook, Will West, and Derrick Byrd who each tallied six points. Byrd dished out four assists and Robert Stevenson had two blocks in the half.
  
Second Half 
The first eight minutes was pretty much a push as both team's struggled, shooting less than 30 percent from the floor. The Javelinas slowly pulled away, however, led by Stevenson who logged nine points, six rebounds and two blocks in the half. The Javelinas closed the game with a .475 shooting percentage and outscored the Hardrockers 11-9 in second-chance points thanks to 13 offensive boards.
 
The Blue and Gold will be back in action tomorrow against Chadron State at 2 p.m.

Become a member of the 6th Man Pack that features great benefits such as reserved chairback seating for home games and access to the 6th Man Pack Lounge at LSC doubleheaders for the 2017-18 season. The 6th Man Pack Lounge will be catered by Fatman's Meat Market. For more information on joining the team, contact the ticket office at 361-593-4030. 
    
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