San Antonio, Texas – Texas A&M-Kingsville rallied from a 16-point deficit but could not close out the University of Missouri St. Louis as it fell 56-61 on Tuesday.
The Javelinas (5-4, 2-1 LSC) were down 22-38 early in the second half after a Triton (8-4) mid-range jump shot created the largest lead of the game for them. The Hogs fought their way back over the next 10 minutes to take the lead after a
TJ Ford Jr. three-pointer but fell just short in the waning minutes of the contest.
It was another slow start for the Javelinas offensively, who missed their first 11 shots before
Bryce Smith's driving layup after poking the ball away from UMSL. The defense for the Javelinas kept them in it however, keeping the game within reach all throughout the first half by forcing 10 turnovers. However, the Tritons converted 40 percent of their three-pointers, creating a 13-point lead at the half.
After the Tritons built the 16-point lead early in the second half, the offense began to click for Texas A&M-Kingsville. A quick 7-0 run capped off by an
Allen Singleton three-pointer cut the lead quickly back to single digits before the defense forced six turnovers in nine minutes and allowed just 10 points to take the lead late in the ball game.
Holding a 50-48 lead with just over five minutes to go, Missouri-St. Louis got hot just at the right time, going on a 13-6 run through the final five minutes. A highlight level layup from
Bryce Smith off of his own backboard would not be enough to stim the tide, as the Tritons closed out the Javelinas in the final minutes.
Ford Jr. finished with a team-high 14 points, Singleton added 13, Smith finished with twelve while
Jamir Turner scored in double-figures as well with 10.
KC Udolisa led the team with eight rebounds and Turner led the team with three steals.
Texas A&M-Kingsville looks to bounce-back tomorrow as they take on Rogers State at 5:00 pm from the Northside ISD gym. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on the MIAA Network or follow the game at JavelinaMBB on X.
