For the first time in nearly two decades, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) was transformed into Texas A&I on the hardwood for one night only on Throwback Day. The Lady Javelinas (8-11, 5-7) hosted the Texanns of Tarleton State on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC) on the campus of Texas A&M Kingsville in Lone Star Conference play.
Unfortunately, from the tip off, the momentum favored the visitors from Stephenville, Texas. The Texanns jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter before the Javelinas earned their first basket courtesy of an and-one from Danielle Meador (Corpus Christi, Texas). The Javelinas would try and regain their composure in the first quarter, but the overwhelming Texanns would have a 24-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Javelinas would fight till the end of the first half, but would find themselves down 46-25 heading into the locker room after the slow opening start on their home court.
Lead by Kaylee Allen of Tarleton State, the Texanns continued their dominance into the second half as they outscored TAMUK, 38-30 in the second half to win the game 84-55. The leaders for the Lady Javelinas were Danielle Meador with 12 points and 5 rebounds, Brynae Thompson (Houston, Texas) with 10 points, and Bri-Anna Soliz with 9 points and 3 rebounds.
After the game, assistant coach DJ Slifer shared his thoughts on the game.
“We didn’t execute our game plan, so they kind of got on us early. They were too comfortable the whole game,” he said.
And senior guard, Kristina Kana (Mont Belvieu, Texas) talked about the mindset of the team moving forward from the loss.
“We just have to learn from this game and move forward with playing more as a team and facing the adversity that comes our way,” she said. “The season is a marathon so we have to keep pushing because we are at the second half of it (conference schedule).”
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