SAN ANGELO, Texas – Three different Javelinas scored in double figures, led by senior Tre Flowers (Bryan, Texas) and his 13 points, and the Javelinas fought their way past the Angelo State Rams, 79-67, on Saturday night in Lone Star Conference action at Stephens Arena at the Junell Center in San Angelo, Texas.

This win gives the Javelinas a 3-1 record as they close out the 2020 portion of their season. It also snaps a five-game losing streak to Angelo State, which is now 1-3.

"First and foremost," said coach Johnny Estelle, "I would like to express how proud I am of this team. These guys are very special young men. They've encountered many obstacles, but they continue to lean on one another and God daily. They are a great example of commitment, trust and Javelina pride."

Flowers was one of 10 different Javelinas on the scoresheet on a night when junior Ellis Jones (Houston, Texas) contributed 12 points and junior Creighton Avery (Corpus Christi, Texas) recorded 10. This is the third time in four games Avery has scored in double digits. Freshman Marcus Jones (Cheneyville, La.) contributed nine points, sinking every shot he took, all of them from beyond the arc.

The Javelinas were the first team out of the gate and seized a 10-3 edge with the help of Ellis Jones' first triple of the night. TAMUK never lost the lead all night.

The Rams would score 16 of the next 26 points to cut the TAMUK lead to 20-19 before the Jones helped spark another run. Back-to-back beyond-the-arc buckets by the junior started a stretch of 13 straight points by the visitors, capped by another trey, this one by sophomore Wellington Stovall (Houston, Texas). The Rams responded with six-points-in-a-row before Ellis Jones and Marcus Jones combined for three more three-pointers, helping send the Hogs to the half ahead 42-27.

ASU immediately tried to swing the momentum in the second half, putting in eight of the first 10 points to close within eight, but the Javelinas later used a 7-0 burst, which included four points from Flowers, to stretch their lead to 57-41.

Both teams continued to trade buckets until the Rams put together their best run of the final period, starting at the 7:32 mark with a three-point play by Sam Baker that made the score 66-55. Two more ASU layups cut the TAMUK lead to seven before sophomore Jake Majors (Corpus Christi, Texas) answered with a three and later added a put-back to restore the visitors to a double-digit edge at 71-60. Over the game's final four-and-a-half minutes, the Rams could get no closer than nine points.

"I'm proud of all of our guys," said Estelle, "but I could not be prouder of Jake Majors and Marcus Jones. I thought they gave us a much-needed spark on both sides of the ball. They're tireless workers and ultimate team guys that give so much daily."

One day after they shot 57 percent from the floor, Angelo State was limited to 39 percent in this one, including 4-of-26 on three-point attempts. The Javelinas finished the night at 46 percent and knocked down 42 percent of their shots from deep. They also outrebounded their hosts, 39-35.

"We played with more confidence on both ends," said Estelle, "and got back to playing Javelina basketball. It wasn't pretty at times, but the will to win was exhibited by everyone in our program. Coach Omar Gonzalez did a phenomenal job with defensive adjustments and I thought we played with more patience offensively.

"I would like to wish the Javelina Nation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please stay safe and take care of your families during this challenging time."

The Javelinas will have to wait until Jan. 2nd to get on the court again. That's when coach Estelle will take his team to Laredo, Texas for a 3:30 p.m. matchup against Texas A&M International. Fans can keep up with Javelina men's basketball by following @JavelinaMBB on Twitter and Instagram, liking Texas A&M University-Kingsville Men's Basketball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy.