Kingsville - Texas A&M-Kingsville used a fast start to propel themselves to a second-straight Lone Star Conference win over Oklahoma Christian, 71-63, Sunday at the Steinke Physical Education Center.
The Javelinas (7-6. 4-1 LSC) opened up the contest against the Eagles (7-5, 2-4 LSC) with a 21-2 run across the first eight minutes, making nine of their first 13 shots while the Eagles missed eight shots in a row after making their first basket. TJ Ford Jr would open up the run on fire, hitting four of his first five baskets including three-made three-pointers. That lead would eventually balloon to a 20-point lead with 11:58 left after
Bryson Goldsmith made a tough layup as the Javelina onslaught was fully on.
The 20-point lead eventually turned into a 21-point lead for the Javelinas after another Goldsmith jumpshot. However, it was not just the offense that was rolling for the Javelinas, the defense was able to hold Oklahoma Christian to 8-21 shooting in the first half while also forcing 11 turnovers. The tidal wave of offensive production and defensive pressure would be enough for the Javelinas to take a commanding 19-point lead heading into the halftime break.
Half number two was a much different story for the Javelinas however, as Oklahoma Christian began to get in their groove on both sides of the ball. The Eagles eventually whittled the Javelinas' lead down to just eight points after a made three-pointer, however a
Bryce Smith layup with 7:20 left brought the lead back up to 13 points as the Javelinas looked to close out the Eagles.
Another made Oklahoma Christian jumper with 4:58 left in the ball game brought it back down to a single-digit lead for the Javelinas, which remained that way until Goldsmith nailed his second three-pointer of the game after an excellent pass from
Jamir Turner. Turner then took the ball away from the Oklahoma offense after a 30-second timeout, and the Javelinas closed out the Eagles to advance to 4-1 in conference play.
Ford Jr led all scorers with 25 points, Goldsmith added 16 while
James Livingston finished in double-figures with 11. Turner led the Javelinas with seven boards and was tied with Smith for a team-high in assists. Goldsmith also added a pair of blocks as well.
Texas A&M-Kingsville heads back on the road to take on new-LSC member UT-Dallas on Thursday. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the game at Javelina MBB on X.
