KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team (3-1, 0-0 LSC) defeated the Western Colorado Mountaineers (0-2, 0-0 RMAC) in commanding fashion with a final score of 78-42 in the Steinke Physical Education Center on Saturday.
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"I thought our kids played really well, said coach Johnny Estelle. "I thought they bounced back from a tough game yesterday … tonight's rotation and the way we played was a little bit more reflective of what I think we can be as a team. So, it was good to see that victory and see a lot of people contribute and get back to playing Javelina basketball."
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WCU came out of the gates ready to play, grabbing a 9-4 lead five minutes into the game. However, the Javelinas came roaring back as they took their first lead of the contest using a 12-8 run to go up 18-17. The Javelinas continued to fire on all cylinders, finishing the first half with a 14-2 surge and taking a 34-22 edge into the locker room.
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TAMUK was paced by C.J. Smith offensively in the first half, as he collected nine points in the opening stanza. Defensively, Dillon Gooding and Kavon Booker had two steals apiece, and as a team, the Blue and Gold finished the frame with six total swipes and 10 forced turnovers.
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The Hogs came out of the break on a mission, building a 44-24 lead courtesy of a 12-2 run in the first three minutes. The Javs shot 50% from the field during the run, and Smith led the way with five of the 12 points. The Javelina defense was solid in the second half keeping the Mountaineers to 20 points in the second half, securing the victory for the Blue and Gold.
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The Javelinas were led offensively by Smith, who racked up 15 points, three boards, and two steals before time expired, and Booker finished two points shy of a double-double with eight points, 11 rebounds, and two take-a-ways. Meanwhile, Creighton Avery added 11 points, and Isaiah Payne 10. Additionally, the Mountaineers were held to 28 percent shooting from the field for the game.
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UP NEXT
The Javelinas will make their first road trip of the season when they travel to Aberdeen, South Dakota, as they participate in the Dacotah Bank Classic. The Hoggies will take on Northern State on Friday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m., ahead of a contest against Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 Fans can keep up with everything related to Javelina men's basketball in 2022-23 by following @JavelinaMBB and @JavelinaSports on Twitter and Instagram, checking out Texas A&M University-Kingsville Men's Basketball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com.Â
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