ODESSA, Texas – After trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team completely dominated final 20 minutes and marched back to earn an 80-72 victory over the UT Permian Basin Falcons on Saturday afternoon at UTPB Gym in Odessa, Texas.
This represented the program's largest comeback since they also erased a 12-point deficit against the Cameron Aggies on Feb. 18th, 2015. It was also the second time they've erased a double-digit margin this season, as they bounced back from 11 points down against Texas A&M International on Nov. 20th.
"[I'm] extremely [proud]," said coach Johnny Estelle. "This was a huge road win and a representation of our senior leadership. The poised play and leadership from Jacolby Harris and Robert Stevenson gave us a much-needed push. Darius Mickens was huge in the second half. He's definitely playing with confidence and looks like a player that is well beyond his years. My staff also did a phenomenal job tonight. It was a good win for the Javelina Nation."
Freshman Darius Mickens (Willis, Texas) and senior Robert Stevenson (Houston, Texas) were the stars who shined the brightest during their team's come-from-behind win. Stevenson became the third Javelina to record a double-double during the current season while also setting a new TAMUK season-high in rebounds, collecting 15, while scoring 12 points. Mickens shredded the UTPB defense for 21 points and has scored in double figures in every game in 2019. He also doled out four assists.
The day's first five points were scored by the Blue and Gold in the opening three minutes. Junior Rashon Thomas (Houston, Texas) and Stevenson contributed buckets during that stretch. It took the Falcons more than four minutes to get on the board via a Miles Washington free throw, which made the score 5-1 at the 15:55 mark. The UTPB offense soon came alive, cobbling together a 7-0 run to turn a 9-3 deficit into a 10-9 lead.
After the Hogs used a three by senior Alex Mills (Laurens, S.C.) to take a 16-13 lead, the home team took control of the final nine minutes of the period, putting together a 21-6 rally. After using consecutive baskets to take the lead, Isaac Hernandez connected on a three and Jacob Ledoux added another trey following two Stevenson foul shots. After another Javelina bucket, UTPB scored six straight points to make the score 29-20 and they also scored the final five points of the half to lead 34-22 after the game's first 20 minutes.
In the second half, the Javelinas quickly set about whittling away at their 12-point deficit. A quick 7-2 burst that included a three-point play from freshman Will Chayer (Corpus Christi, Texas) brought TAMUK to within seven. With just over four minutes gone in the half, Mickens tossed in a layup and the visitors were within four.
After consecutive scores by Mickens had the Hogs just one point down at 41-40, UTPB managed to stretch their lead to six, but their opponents wouldn't go away. An 11-2 run that included a three from Rashon Thomas and consecutive baskets by Stevenson pushed the Blue and Gold in front, 51-48.
UTPB fought back to tie the game following a three from Ledoux but senior Jacolby Harris (Delray, Fla.) drained two from the charity stripe, giving TAMUK the lead for good. Harris would finish with 12 points.
When the Falcons got within one at 62-61, Mickens upped the difference to four with a trey and each time the home team made it a one possession game after that, the Javelinas immediately responded with points to add to their cushion. Foul shots by Mickens and junior Chauncey Thomas (Plano, Texas), who ended the day with 11 points, provided the clinching blow.
Estelle's team owned virtually every statistic over the course of the second half. They shot 58.1 percent from the field and made 20 of their 22 free throw attempts while turning the ball over just five times. TAMUK forced eight turnovers and limited UTPB to just 37.9 percent shooting. The Hogs also outrebounded their hosts in the second half, 21-17, and put up 30 points in the paint while UTPB managed only 18.
A string of four straight home games for the Javelinas begins on Thursday, when they are scheduled to take on MSU Texas at 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date with TAMUK men's basketball all season, follow @JavelinaMBB on Twitter, @Javelinasports on Instagram, like Javelina Men's Basketball on Facebook and subscribe to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel.
