Tyler, TX - Texas A&M-Kingsville dominated the rematch against UT-Tyler as they won, 74-52, Thursday at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center.
The Javelinas (11-13, 7-11 Lone Star Conference) held the Patriots (8-16, 5-13 LSC) to the fewest points that Texas A&M-Kingsville has allowed in conference play this season with just 52 points. This win inches the Javelinas closer to potentially qualifying for the LSC Tournament with just four games left to go.
It was not always a no-doubter for the Hogs though, as UT-Tyler was on fire from behind the arc to start the game. The Patriots hit seven of the first ten 3-pointers in the first 14 minutes of the game, six of them coming from Mareng Gatkuoh.
The Javelinas did not waver however, as the defense began to show out in the first half. Forcing 10 Patriot turnovers and scoring 20 points off of said turnovers, the defense led the offense to give the Javelinas an 11-point lead at the half.
Half number two was just as good for Texas A&M-Kingsville and half one, as
Zyon Little got the party started with a 3-pointer within the first minute of the half. Little added four more points not much later, and the Javelinas were scorching the Patriots with a 17-point lead.Â
UT-Tyler kept hanging around as the half wore on, but the Javelinas shut the door on any comeback chance with two-straight deep three's from
Allen Singleton and
James Livingston to expand the lead to 19-points. A
Jake Arnold three set the lead to the largest of the night at 27 points as the Hogs earned a dominant victory.
Singleton and Little both led the way with 14 points, with
Isaiah Payne contributing 12. Little finished with a team-high five rebounds and Arnold swiped two steals for himself as well.Â
Texas A&M-Kingsville plays in its final road game of the year at No. 6 Dallas Baptist University Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CST. Fans of the Javelinas can watch live on FloCollege or follow live coverage at JavelinaMBB on Twitter.
