KINGSVILLE, Texas – Only six games remain on the regular season schedule as the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team tries to fight their way into possession of a spot in the Lone Star Conference tournament and TAMUK's quest for a postseason berth takes them on the road during the second week of February to match up with two teams they faced on their non-conference slate
The week's first game pits the Javelinas against the Angelo State Rams on Thursday at 7 p.m. inside the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center in San Angelo, Texas, then the Hogs will tangle with the UT Permian Basin Falcons on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Falcon Dome in Odessa, Texas.
The Javelinas reasserted themselves during their last home game, snapping a seven-game St. Mary's win streak by dominating the Rattlers in a 74-55 victory. The Hogs held the Rattlers to their lowest point total of the season and just 28 percent shooting from the floor to capture their third straight regular season sweep of StMU.
The leading scorer for the Javs on Saturday was senior Tre Flowers (Bryan, Texas), who contributed 14 points and led the team in scoring for the second time in his last three games. Over those three contests, Flowers has averaged 13.0 points per game and shot 55 percent from the floor. His four assists on Saturday were also a season-high.
Another of TAMUK's seniors, Austin native Dayante McClellan, has continued to anchor the Javelina defense, leading the team in rebounding, blocked shots and ranking second in steals. In Thursday's clash with St. Edward's, McClellan set a season-high with 11 rebounds, then he snatched eight more boards on Saturday while also blocking two shots and picking up a steal. McClellan's efforts have helped the Javelinas remain one of the top teams in the LSC in rebounding margin.
The first challenge for Flowers, McClellan and the rest of the Javelinas will be slowing down an ASU offense that ranks second in the conference in scoring. Four different Rams are averaging at least 10 points per game and coach Cinco Boone's team flexed their offensive muscle in a Monday victory over St. Mary's. ASU shot 55 percent from the floor and had six players reach 10 points in an 88-68 blowout. This victory marked the seventh time the Rams have scored 85 points in a game.
For the Falcons, they're trying to build on the momentum of back-to-back road victories, including a win at ASU on Feb. 1st. That road success is in stark contrast to UTPB's recent record at home, where they've dropped four of their last five contests.
Seniors Jordan Horn and DeJuan Jones have been the Falcons' most difficult players to contain so far in 2021-22, with Jones leading the conference in assists and Horn ranked fifth in scoring. Jones and Horn combined for 39 points in UTPB's December win over TAMUK, but the Javelinas will have a chance to exact revenge in Odessa.
To keep up with all the action in San Angelo and Odessa, visit Javelinaathletics.com where there will be links to live video and live stats and a postgame recap. Fans can keep up with Javelina men's basketball throughout the season 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. Get the Official Javelina Athletics Mobile App today! Download on the App Store or Get It on Google Play to keep up with all the news, scores and updates of your favorite Javelinas.
