Kingsville - Texas A&M-Kingsville bounced back after dropping its Lone Star Conference opener by shutting down UT-Tyler's offense in the finals minutes to win 69-61 Saturday at the Steinke Physical Education Center.
With the game in the balance at the five minute mark, the Javelina (4-3, 1-1 LSC) defense locked down the Patriot offense (4-2, 0-2 LSC) and did not give up a single point for a four-minute stretch of the game. Texas A&M-Kingsville forced three turnovers and did not give UT-Tyler any good looks offensively to get win number one of conference play.
Saturday's contest was a nice return-to-form game for the Javelinas, who were able to cut down the turnovers to just eight against UT-Tyler. Meanwhile, the defense created 18 Patriot turnovers and generated 16 points off of said turnovers.
Bryce Smith served as the catalyst for the Javelina defense, securing a team-high three steals.
The first half was mostly controlled by the Javelinas, who were led by 10 points from
Bryson Goldsmith. The Hogs were able to generate a nine-point advantage in the first half thanks to this effort, but UT-Tyler brought it back down to just one point with 1:23 to go in the first half. In the waning seconds however, TJ Ford Jr found
Daniel Sanchez on a nice roll to the rim for an and-one layup that brought the lead back up to four headed into the break.
Half number two got off to a great start for the Javelinas, outscoring the Patriots 11-7 in the first five minutes of the half to get an eight-point lead. UT-Tyler answered back however, eventually taking a four-point lead after a made three pointer with seven minutes to go. It would be the Goldsmith show for the next two minutes, as the junior guard scored five points and notched a steal to cut the lead back down to one.
Udolisa's and-one layup put the Javelinas in front, and the defense got the stops it needed to get the win. A pair of steals from
Allen Singleton and Smith helped keep the Patriots off the scoreboard and the Javelinas converted eight of their 10 free throw attempts to put UT-Tyler away.
Goldsmith finished with a team-high 16 points while Udolisa finished with 15 points and a team-high six rebounds. Smith finished with four assists and
David Oriaku had a monster day defending the paint, notching four blocks.
Texas A&M-Kingsville hits the road after spending the last five games at home, traveling to Odessa Texas to take on UT-Permian Basin on Thursday. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the game at JavelinaMBB on X,
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