Kingsville - The final home game of the Texas A&M-Kingsville women's basketball team's schedule will be a battle between the Javelinas and the Greyhounds from Eastern New Mexico at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

After out-scoring a ranked opponent in the fourth quarter for the second straight weekend, in a loss to No.11 West Texas A&M on Thursday, the Javelinas will look to continue their late-game momentum as they attempt to spoil Eastern's race for a top seed in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

"Consistent effort and execution on both ends of the floor," Head Coach Michael Madrid said. "We put together good possessions followed by poor possessions. We want to be able to put together four quality quarters consistently."

Kingsville carries a balanced attack in both the scoring column and on the glass. Redshirt junior Kaycee Groves averages 12.4 points per game in LSC play, leading three different Javelinas who score at least 8.5 per contest. On the glass, sophomore forward Thalia Daniels paces the crew with 5.8 rebounds per game, one of five different players who grab at least 3.8 per game.

Scouting the Competition: The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds (16-9, 12-5 LSC)

The Greyhounds have been on a tear as of late, bringing a four-game winning streak into Saturday's contest, which includes a four-point overtime win over, at the time, No.8-ranked West Texas A&M. They boast the second-best offense in the conference, averaging 71.0 points per game, while also posting a +10.8 average scoring margin, the third-best in the LSC.

While they aren't the most efficient of squids, ENMU hustles for extra possessions, forcing the fourth-most turnovers in the LSC at 20.8 per game, and grabbing the third-most offensive rebounds per game at 13.6. Those extra opportunities wear down opponents and allow the team to post its high scoring totals, having scored below 60 just once in February (55 in the team's only loss this month). 

"Eastern is extremely well-coached and athletic," Madrid said. "Every game is the same for us in terms of what we do defensively. Contest shots and rebounds. This game will be no different."

Javelina Quick Hitters

• Kingsville put up a spectacular defensive performance against No.23 Lubbock Christian on Thursday, holding the team to just 3-of-21 shooting from the field in the second half and 0-of-7 in the fourth quarter as they pushed LCU to the brink in Lubbock
• Redshirt junior guard Kaycee Groves had a spectacular performance in February 5's LSC win over the Hilltoppers, dropping 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, the highest single-game scoring effort by a Javelina since February of 2023 - that began a stretch of five straight games scoring in double figures for Groves
• In the team's 17 LSC games, Groves had led the team in scoring (12.4, 11th in the LSC) rebounding (6.2, 14th in the LSC), assists (2.7, 15th in the LSC) steals (34, 15th in the LSC), and blocks (14, 10th in the LSC)
• Freshman guard Jadeyn Parez has been impactful in her early starts, highlighted by a 24-point explosion against Oklahoma Christian; She is shooting 45.7% from the field and 40.7% 3PT (leads team) on the season
• TAMUK has been excellent on the boards so far this year, ranking fourth in the LSC with +4.4 per game in rebound margin; the Javelinas limit opponents to 31.2 rebounds per game (second best in the LSC)
• In the 16 in-conference games that the Javelinas have played, they've been even better, posting a rebound margin of +5.9 (fourth in the LSC), and leading the conference in fewest total opponent rebounds (30.5)
• Sophomore forward Thalia Daniels has had a strong start to her career in the blue and gold, leading the team on the glass at 5.8 rebounds per game (with 6.5 ppg).
• While she leads a team effort on the glass, the Javelinas' success on the boards has been a group project - five different Javelinas average 3.8-plus rebounds per game this season (three at 4.5-plus)
• The second-winningest Head Coach in program history, Michael Madrid is beginning his seventh year at the helm for the Javelinas just six LSC wins from passing Jill Wilson for the most conference wins in program history