The Javelinas men’s basketball team faced off against their Lone Star Conference rivals Saint Edwards University on Jan. 26.
This game was the biggest home game for the men’s basketball game as it was the “Pack The House” night for which everyone from students to faculty to members of the community were encouraged to show up and support the Javelinas in a game that could possibly determine their season moving forward.
Both teams brought out the best in each other in front of a thunderous crowd at the SPEC center. As the game went on St. Edwards University came in after a crushing loss against Angelo State ready to attack the Javelinas after they fell to Eastern New Mexico a week earlier.
However, the Javelinas refused to allow an opponent come into their home and hand them another loss and made sure that when St. Edwards left Kingsville the team did so with a loss. Though St. Edwards got the better of the Javelinas in the first half with a score of 35-33, the Javelinas came charging back in the second half scoring 34 points while St. Edwards only scored 32. This then brought new life into the crowd who were ready to see a great basketball game be played.
With the score tied 67-67 at the end of regulation the game then entered into overtime. In this extra period of play, the Javelinas held St. Edwards to six points while they would ultimately score 10 winning the game 77-73. The leaders of the game were Dillon Gooding who scored 16 points as well as Isaiah Payne and C.J. Smith, who both scored 13 points. Marcus Jones-Green scored the final two foul shots which ultimately ended the game and sealed the victory for the Javelinas.