The TAMUK basketball team picked up a Lone Star Conference win against St. Mary’s on Thursday before falling to the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers.
On Thursday night in Kingsville, the Javelina Men’s Basketball team cruised into their 4th win in a row by taking down the Rattlers of St. Mary’s in result of multiple players stepping up on offense and the team’s determination and hustle on the defensive side of the floor.
The Rattlers came out swinging on the Javelinas by gaining a commanding 10-1 lead but were able to respond with a 10-2 run of their own and take the lead back half-way through the first half with a lay-up by Senior Daniel Servo.
Once the Blue and Gold took the lead, they ran away and never looked back. Servo was able to help extend with four points and a steal later in the half. Adding on to the lead was Senior John Mouton who contributed 5 points in the first half as well as a block in the final moments of game play the Missouri City native also had a game-high 13 points to go along with 9 rebounds.
The second half was no different for the Javelinas as they continued to show their dominance over their opponent. Although the rattlers were able to cut the deficit to just two points with 12 minutes left to play, the men in blue and gold were able to hold them off with senior John Mayer helping out with 5 points in the second half along with 7 rebounds total for the game.
The second half also saw the Javelinas boost their free-throw percentage from 57 to about 71 from the line which helped them gain advantage.
Head Coach Johnny Estelle applauded the whole team’s tenacity and energy.
“We usually have a consistent group of guys who perform every night but everyone on the team battled and gave us something different,” Estelle said. “This time of year can be tough because of injuries and what not, but the passion they play with and help try to win for this university, it’s way bigger than basketball and it’s good to see them get rewarded.”
Estelle also addressed the teams early 10-1 deficit.
“I feel we get a little nervous on offense sometimes but we were able to start making shots and made some good stops which propelled us into taking the lead and holding it.”
The team’s leading scorer John Moutan also praised the overall team effort.
“We played together as a unit and we guarded the whole game. We started off slow but everyone came in and gave us energy and we were able to come out with the win.”
The Blue and Gold basketball team put together a comeback that sliced an 18-point deficit to one, but fell to the No. 8 St. Edward’s Hilltoppers 83-76.
Ten seconds into regulation, Tre Flowers kicked off scoring action with a two-handed slam. The Hilltoppers responded swiftly with a 9-0 run. Flowers would break the Javelinas from their scoring lull, sinking his first attempt from beyond the arc.
Hilltopper Corey Shervill followed Flowers with a three-pointer of his own, but sophomore Will Chayer quickly answered from three-point land, cutting the St. Edward’s advantage to 12-8. The four-point deficit would be the shortest lead of the half for the Hilltoppers.
St. Edwards’s strung together an 8-2 run that led to a 20-10, Hilltopper advantage at the 15-minute mark. Strong defense by both teams kept the scoreboard still for two minutes, but the dry spell was broken by a jumper from junior Dayante McClellan. A three-point play from Chauncey Thomas closed the Javelina deficit to 21-15, but the visitors spent the next three minutes stringing together a 10-3 run that extended their advantage to 31-18.
Flowers and teammate Daniel Severo piled up the next six points for the home team, cutting the deficit to 31-24. The Hilltoppers would command the last six-and-a-half minutes of first half action, outscoring the Blue and Gold 21-7.
Down 52-31, the Javelinas got on the board first in the second half with a free throw from Chayer and a Severo-layup. The opponents split the next two-and-a-half minutes 12 points evenly, the Hilltoppers holding the lead at 58-40.
In the following five minutes, the visitors would score 10 of the next 18 points. A Flowers’ jumper at the 11:29-mark jumped off a Javelina run that saw the hosts score 17 unanswered points and close the Hilltopper lead to 66-65.
Flowers scored ten during the 17-0 run and was helped out by senior Rashon Thomas and Chayer who added 5 and 2 points, respectively.
A layup from Hilltopper Ryan Garza ended the host’s run with seven-and-a-half left to play in regulation. The ensuing 12-3 run by the Hilltoppers extended their advantage to 78-68.
Severo answered for the Blue and Gold, sinking two at the penalty line. John Mouton added a layup thirty seconds later, cutting the Hilltopper lead to 78-72. A layup by August Hass and three penalty shots sealed the deal for St. Edward’s.
Four Javelinas placed double digits in the scoring column. Flowers led the offensive attack with 19 points, shooting 100% from the foul line. Severo added 18 of his own and also had a perfect night from the line sinking all eight of his attempts. Rashon and Chauncey Thomas helped out with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Javelinas hope to rebound on February 15th in their home stand against Texas A&M International.