San Angelo, TX - 40 combined points from
TJ Ford Jr. and
Allen Singleton propelled Texas A&M-Kingsville over Angelo State, 67-64, Wednesday from the Junell Center.
The guard duo for the Javelinas (8-9, 5-4 LSC) shot a combined 12-17 from the floor and hit six of the seven threes that the team would convert to break the Javelinas' three-game conference losing streak. The defense also got back on track, holding the Rams (12-9, 3-7 LSC) to just under 40-percent shooting from the floor and just 23-percent shooting from three.
It was not just that Ford and Singleton were productive on offense, it was that the duo's offense came when the Javelinas most needed it. Ford and Singleton scored on three consecutive possessions with just two minutes left as the Javelinas and Rams jockeyed for control in the game's waning minutes. Ford eventually would hit the dagger the Javelinas needed after Singleton found him wide open in the corner with just 54 seconds left to put the Hogs up three.
Jamir Turner would then get to the foul line in the last seconds, and despite only making one free throw of two, it would be enough for the Javelinas.
Ultimately, the game came down to the defense of the Javelinas locking down the opposing offense down the stretch. Texas A&M-Kingsville held Angelo State to just 2-for-12 over the final five minutes of the contest after Angelo built themselves a four point lead. The Javelinas however were nuclear from the floor as a team over that same stretch, going 5-5 from the floor including a pair of clutch layups from
David Oriaku.
The offensive eruption to end the game was nowhere to be found at the start. Neither team could get their offense into a rhythm, however the Rams would be the first to gain any sort of momentum with a 6-0 run that made it 8-14. Five straight Javelina points from Ford made it just a one point contest with a little over 10 minutes to play in the first half and got the Javelinas right back in the ball game.
Angelo State quickly retook their six-point advantage after a second-chance jumper after a Javelina turnover. True Freshman
Jadon Sautter came to the rescue however, going on a personal 7-0 run capped off with a three-pointer off a nice friend from Ford that gave the Javelinas a one-point lead. Ford would close out the half for the Javelinas himself, nailing a shot beyond the arc thanks to a
Nate Garcia offensive rebound that tied the game, then took the lead for the Javelinas after the Rams fouled him in the act of shooting from beyond the arc.
Ford led the way with 22 points, Singleton was not too far behind him with 18 points. Turner, Oriaku and Sautter each finished with seven points off the bench as well. Garcia would lead the Javelinas with five rebounds while Singleton finished with a game-high three steals.
Texas A&M-Kingsville returns home for a rematch against Angelo State on Saturday for Military appreciation day. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the game at JavelinaMBB on X.Â
