Kingsville - The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team is hitting the road for its final Lone Star Conference game of the year as it travels to Odessa for a clash with the University of Texas at Permian Basin Falcons at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Despite a slow start to their season, the Javelinas have improved every game as they battle with difficult opponents in the early going. Four of the six teams that TAMUK has faced off with so far this year are either ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Poll

"The more we play, the better we get, and one thing our teams have always done is get better," Head Coach Michael Madrid said. "Looking forward to getting on the road and competing."

In Kingsville's most recent game, a close loss to RV UT-Tyler, the team put up a single-game season high in scoring and had a season high four different Javelinas score in double figures (those four combined to shoot 59% from the field). TAMUK will look to carry that offensive momentum, along with its defensive and rebounding strengths, into its first road conference contest of the year against the Falcons.

Though the Javelinas have won four of their last six meetings with UTPB, their last win over the Falcons came in December of 2022. TAMUK leads the all-time series over Permian, 10-9.

Scouting the Competition: The UT-Permian Basin Falcons (4-4, 1-1 LSC)

The Falcons have had an up-and-down start to their season, and bring a 4-4 record into Thursday's matchup. They are 1-1 in LSC play after splitting a pair of road contests with No.4 Lubbock Christian (L, 59-65), and Midwestern St. (W, 68-45) last weekend to start their in-conference schedule.

Despite a slow start to her time heading up the Falcons, Head Coach Rae Boothe has put together back-to-back strong seasons and is entering her ninth year at the program's helm. She is looking for her third straight trip to the LSC Tournament. 

Much like the Javelinas, the early season has seen UTPB succeed on the strength of its defense, as the team boasts the third-best scoring defense in the LSC (41st in the nation). It's been incredibly efficient on that end of the floor as well, holding opponents to 35.3% from the field (2nd in the LSC, 23rd in the nation) and 27.2% from three (fourth in the LSC).

The team's lone double-digit scorer, graduate student guard Kenadi Rising, has had a hot start to her career with the Falcons after transferring in from Emporia St.. She is averaging 11.4 points per game along with 6.3 rebounds, and is coming off of two 15-plus point outings against LSC foes last weekend, including the first double-double of her season VS No.4 LCU.

"UTPB plays extremely hard and is well-coached," Madrid said. "We definitely have our work cut out for us, but look forward to the opportunity."

Javelina Quick Hitters:

• TAMUK leads the conference on the glass, holding opponents to an LSC-best 29.3 total rebounds per game - its + 1.8 rebound margin is the eighth-best in the LSC
• Since the beginning of conference play, redshirt junior Kaycee Groves has settled into a significant role, leading the team in scoring (12.0 per game), rebounding (6.0 per game), and steals (1.5 per game)
• Sophomore forward Thalia Daniels has had a strong start to her career in the blue and gold, averaging the third-most points per game on the team and leading the squad on the glass with 6.5 rebounds per game (12th in the LSC)
• She leads a team effort on the glass, and is one of five different Javelinas who all average at least 3.0 rebounds per game
• Freshman forward Justine Aguilar has been excellent in her first six games of collegiate basketball - is the team's second leading scorer despite having not yet started a game for the Javelinas
• The second-winningest Head Coach in program history, Michael Madrid is beginning his seventh year at the helm for the Javelinas just 11 LSC wins from passing Jill Wilson for the most conference wins in program history
• Madrid and the Javelinas are seeking a berth to the LSC Tournament for the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five seasons