Kingsville - Texas A&M-Kingsville could not hold on to a late lead against West Texas A&M as it fell, 91-93, in overtime Thursday from the Steinke Physical Education Center.
The Javelinas (12-13, 9-8 LSC) were up four in the final minute of the contest with a chance to put away the Buffaloes (18-9, 10-7 LSC) with a successful inbound pass. West Texas A&M forced a deflection on the pass and got the ball back down two. A second-chance three pointer from the Buffaloes eventually sunk the Javelinas as their last ditch effort would not be enough.
The Javelinas had a chance to end the contest in regulation as well. After
Bryce Smith made his lone three-point shot attempt of the contest, the Javelinas found themselves up six with 1:31 left in the game. The buffaloes would throw a major counter punch in the final minute and a half however as they would score six straight points to tie the game at 78.
Jadon Sautter had an opportunity to end it with a mid-range jumper, but it bounced off the front iron as the game headed to overtime.
Offensively, the Javelinas were able to hang with the top scoring offense in the Lone Star Conference for a vast majority of the contest by dominating the game from inside the paint. Texas A&M-Kingsville scored ten more points in the paint compared to West Texas A&M and outrebounded WT by 14. West Texas A&M found their advantage however late in the game, as key offensive rebounds game them four late points in the second half and OT, which would end up making the difference.
Smith notched a new career high with 18 points to go with eight boards.
Allen Singleton finished with 16 points, Sautter scored in double figures against with 14 while
Bryson Goldsmith and
TJ Ford Jr. had 12 and 11 respectively. Sautter would finish with a team-high nine rebounds while
Daniel Sanchez, Goldsmith and Sautter would each end with three assists.
Texas A&M-Kingsville will look for an all-important win to clinch a spot in the LSC conference tournament against top-ranked Eastern New Mexico Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the action at JavelinaMBB on X.
