KINGSVILLE, Texas (Women's Basketball) – The defense forced 19 turnovers and held the Aggies to 25.8 percent shooting in a 69-54 victory Saturday evening in the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court. Texas A&M University-Kingsville (10-10, 6-8 LSC) took off from the tip, commanding an 18-7 lead through the opening period and Meesha Wade tied her season-high with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting as the Javelinas split the regular season series versus Cameron University (8-12, 6-8 LSC).
 
Kaylee Kana finished with eight points and 12 rebounds and Angelica Wilson added seven points and nine rebounds. Savanna James was held to just five points after scoring 26 in the first matchup between the clubs.
 
The Aggies are now just a game ahead of the Javelinas in the Lone Star Conference standings, with both teams rounding out the playoff clubs. The victory was the first versus Cameron since Jan. 22, 2014 and ended a three-game losing skid.
 
FIRST PERIOD
A close opening quarter midway through the first, A&M-Kingsville pulled away, ending the stanza on an 11-2 run to put itself in front, 18-7. Wilson matched Cameron's quarter total with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting off the bench. The Hogs never trailed after the opening minutes.
 
SECOND PERIOD
Texas A&M-Kingsville pounded the ball inside in the second quarter, scoring 16 of its 21 points inside the paint to go into the break with a 39-26 lead.
 
Wade ended the first half with nine points and Kana and Wilson posted seven points and five rebounds apiece. Despite going scoreless in the frame, Kaylin Roher swiped two passes.
 
THIRD PERIOD
Cameron tried to close the gap but the Javelinas went into the final period of regulation up 52-43.
 
FOURTH PERIOD
Up 54-48 with 7:37 to go, the Hogs closed strong with clutch free throws down the stretch to take the final matchup of the regular season between A&M-Kingsville and Cameron, 69-54. The Javelinas ended the game on a 15-6 run to clinch the victory.
 
WHAT HEAD COACH WADE SCOTT SAID
"It was a good win, especially after the first time we played them. We needed a conference win and it was great to get one at home."
 
… ON DEFENSIVE EFFORT
"The main thing was continuing to switch defensively and challenged shots. I was impressed with our effort."
 
… ON WADE'S PLAY
"She played extremely well on both ends of the floor. Defensively, contested and offensively, pressured Cameron and drove to the hoop. She made big free throws late."
 
… ON OUR PACE AND BENCH PLAY
"We played unselfish basketball and looked for a wide open shot. Our bench played well and increased the lead. Jelly brought toughness defensively and was a weapon offensively in the first half."
 
NEXT UP
The Javelinas hit the road for pivotal contests at Tarleton State University Thursday and Texas A&M University-Commerce Saturday.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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