Silver City, NM - Texas A&M-Kingsville could not convert on its late-game opportunities in the waning seconds against Western New Mexico as it fell, 58-64, Thursday from Drag's Court.
With just eight seconds to go,
James Livingston had the opportunity to tie the game at 60 apiece after
Bryce Smith notched his team-high fourth steal of the game. However, the Mustangs (15-4, 9-3 LSC) were able to block the shot attempt and make their late game free-throws to sink the Javelinas (9-10, 6-5 LSC) in Silver City.
Nate Garcia led all scorers with 18 points while Smith and Livingston both finished with eight.
Daniel Sanchez and Smith both finished with a team-high seven rebounds. Additionally, Sanchez ended the contest with two blocks, his first multi-block game of the season.
The Javelinas were able to keep the Mustang's offense under wraps for a majority of the night, holding the sixth ranked offense in the Lone Star Conference to 14.5 points underneath their season average. Texas A&M-Kingsville also held Western New Mexico to just 19-60 from the floor, its worst shooting performance of the season. However, the Javelinas were out-rebounded by the Mustangs 51-34, leading to 20 second-chance points by WNMU.
Texas A&M-Kingsville often turned their defense into offense in the second half, using the turnovers to generate a good chunk of their offensive production in the second half. Smith had a large hand in this, using three second-half steals to create scoring opportunities for the Javelinas to get them back into the game. Smith's first big steal came with 10:34 left in the contest, when his steal led to a three-pointer by
Allen Singleton off a Garcia assist.Â
Smith's second steal of the half came with the Javelinas trailing by four, leading to an-and-one bucket from Garcia to cut the lead to two with 7:22 left in the game. From there the Javelinas hung around the Mustangs, never falling behind by more than four points before a 5-0 run capped up by another Garcia layup tied the game at 56 with 4:19 left. Western New Mexico responded however, getting their lead back up to four points after a second-chance layup. The Javelinas were able to get the game back within two within two after a
David Oriaku short jumper, but it would not be enough for the Hogs in Silver City.
Texas A&M-Kingsville wraps up their road trip out west against Sul Ross State on Saturday at 3:00 pm. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the game at JavelinaMBB on X.
