Rapid City, SD – Texas A&M-Kingsville held on to a late second half lead against South Dakota Mines, 76-75, to get win number one for the 2025-26 season.
The Javelinas (1-0) and Hardrockers (0-1) were knotted up in a 72-all game with under a minute to go in the game before
TJ Ford Jr. would hit a go-ahead three pointer to put the Hogs up three with just 22 second left on the clock. South Dakota Mines would convert three free-throw attempts to even it back up at 75 before a late foul sent Ford Jr. back to the free throw line to give the Javelinas the lead for good.
Turnovers were the name of the game for the Javelinas, as the defense forced 18 turnovers while only giving the ball up just six times. This turnover differential led to 13 points off turnovers for the Javelinas and 18 fast break points. Texas A&M-Kingsville also shot 17 more field goal attempts, giving the Javelinas much more opportunities to score.
South Dakota opened the game efficiently on offense, eventually finding themselves up by eight with just under nine minutes in the first half. True Freshman
Jadon Sautter would connect on a massive three-pointer and
Jamir Turner hit a jump shot to bring the Javelinas back within three before eventually taking the lead with another Turner jumper. The Javelinas carried that offensive momentum into the end of the half after
Bryson Goldsmith converted at the free throw line to put the Hogs up one.
The second half began with neither team being able to pull away from each other before Texas A&M-Kingsville got the first substantial lead of the game. The Hogs went on a 7-0 run midway through the second half, capped off with a
James Livingston three-pointer that put the Javelinas up by 10. South Dakota Mines eventually whittled the lead down back to an even game with 1:40 to go. Ford Jr. would burst to the rim for an easy layup to give the Hogs a two-point lead before the Hardrockers knotted it up again at 72 apiece.
Sautter led the Javelinas in scoring with 15 points, Ford Jr. added 14 points six of which came in the last minute of the game. Turner added 10 points while
David Oriaku scored 10 points for the first time in his career while leading the team with eight rebounds and four blocks.
Texas A&M-Kingsville faces off against South Dakota Mines again tomorrow at 8:30 CST. Fans of the Javelinas can follow the game at JavelinaMBB on X or watch the game on the RMAC Network.
