CANYON, Texas - A late surge at a comeback against the defending conference champions came up short as the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team fell to the West Texas A&M Buffaloes in Canyon, Texas on Sunday evening.
The loss is the third in a row for the Javelinas (2-6, LSC 0-3) as they complete the first leg of their three game road trip. The Buffaloes (7-1, LSC 3-0) pick up their fourth win in a row and third straight in conference play.
The Javelinas gave the defending LSC champs all they could handle in a game that saw 11 ties and 14 lead changes. Both squads started the game hot from behind the arc as the Hogs shot 5-of-10 from three-point land compared to the Buffs' 6-of-12 in the first half.
C.J. Smith put up 13 points in the first 20 minutes on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Neither team could pull a lead larger than six in the first half as the Javelinas took a three point lead to the locker room, 45-42.
A run from the Buffaloes to start off the second half proved the difference in the contest as they went on a 10-2 run in the first six minutes to take an eight point lead. From there, the two squads traded runs as the Javelinas continuously reeled the Buffs within striking distance before West Texas restored the lead once more.
Trailing by 13 entering the final five minutes of the game, the Javelinas made one last surge at a comeback as the Buffaloes failed to score from the field in the last 4:02 of the contest, but accurate free throw shooting kept the Hogs at bay to secure the victory for the Buffaloes.
Smith finished the night with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. He also added five assists and four steals - team-leading in both categories - as well as two rebounds. Smith has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games.
Kavon Booker led the Javelinas in rebounding once again, grabbing seven boards and adding 10 points of his own.
Dillon Gooding was the second-highest scorer for the Hogs with 12 points.
Allen Singleton also finished in double digits with 10 points, including 2-of-3 from behind the arc on a night where the Javelinas shot 8-of-19 from three-point range.
Overall, the Javelinas shot 45.9 percent from the field, going 27-of-60 as well as 21-of-26 on free throw shooting. The Hogs were outrebounded 29-36 but forced more turnovers than their opponents. Since going 52.9 percent from the stripe against Western Colorado on Nov. 18, the Javelinas have been 75-of-95 on freebies - almost 80 percent.
UP NEXT
The Javelinas make the short drive to Lubbock to take on the Chaps of Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The Chaps (7-3, LSC 3-0) won their latest game against Texas A&M International, 83-70.
