Leo Garcia

Women's Basketball 12/15/2022 10:14:00 AM Ryan Smith, Athletic Communications Coordinator

Javelinas headed to Las Vegas to participate in D2 Holiday Hoops Classic

The Javelinas will face a pair of nationally recognized opponents in Montana State Billings and Georgia Southwestern State

KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team is en route to Las Vegas, Nevada, as they'll face off with No. 15 Montana State Billings and No. 13 Georgia Southwestern State at the D2 Holiday Hoops Classic. Competition at South Point Arena starts at 5:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, with the Javelinas facing the Yellowjackets ahead of a 3 p.m. CT matchup with the Lady Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Javelinas (5-3, 2-2 LSC) split last time out, knocking off No. 2 West Texas A&M 71-60, before falling to No. RV Lubbock Christian, 76-61. Senior Brianna Pena was named Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts, as her 18.5 PPG on 65.4% shooting highlighted a stellar weekend.

TAMUK continues to pace the LSC in three-point percentage and three-point defense, sinking shots from beyond the arc at 35.8% while holding opponents to 23.9%. The Javelinas also force more turnovers than anybody in the conference at 13 per game. Individually, sophomore Mia Rivers ranks 19th nationally in assists with 5.1 APG, while classmate Janessa Payne is seventh in three-point percentage at 53.1%.

The No. 15 Yellowjackets (10-1, 2-0 GNAC) have won six straight, falling to Black Hills State on Nov. 22 for their only loss on the season. MSUB ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense, holding the opposition to 53.3 PPG while boasting a scoring margin of 19.2, the best in the GNAC.

Boyce Dyauni paces the Jackets' in points averaging 12.1 per game, with Cariann Kunkel and Shayla Montague joining her with double-digit figures. Dyauni also tops the team with 7.5 RPG, while Kourtney Nelson has dished out 33 assists.

Meanwhile, the No. 13 Lady Hurricanes (7-1. 2-0 PBC) picked up their only loss on Nov. 22 as they fell to Valdosta State en route to a 2-0 start in the Peach Belt Conference. The squad averages 69.8 PPG on 42.7% shooting while being one of the nation's top defensive teams. They rank second across NCAA Division II in field goal defense at 30.5 and, similarly to the Javelinas, excel at the perimeter, keeping the opposition to 20.0% from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Lady Hurricanes rank eighth in DII, forcing 17.8 turnovers per game.

The GSW success comes primarily as a result of stellar play by Ava Jones, Kayla Langley, and Jacquelyn Levay. Jones paces the team in blocks and assists, sending back 1.14 shots per game and logging 3.1 APG. Langley hauls in 7.1 rebounds per game, while Levay averages 11.3 PPG on 48.5% shooting.

Follow the Javelinas all season long by visiting javelinaathletics.com to find links to live stats and streaming information as well as a recap at the end of each contest. To keep up-to-date with Javelina Women's Basketball, follow the program on Facebook /JavelinaWBB or Twitter @Javelina_WBB. Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network.
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Players Mentioned

#35 Janessa Payne: G/F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#3 Brianna Pena: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#10 Mia Rivers: G; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#35 Janessa Payne
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G/F

#3 Brianna Pena
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#10 Mia Rivers
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: G

Players Mentioned

#35 Janessa Payne

#3 Brianna Pena

#10 Mia Rivers

Players Mentioned

#35 Janessa Payne

#3 Brianna Pena

#10 Mia Rivers