by Ryan Smith, TAMK Sports Information
KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville women’s basketball program overcame University of Arkansas Fort-Smith on Thursday, needing a fifth period to claim a 62-57 decision over the Lions in Lone Star Conference action on Thursday night at the Steinke Physical Education Center in Kingsville, Texas on Pack the House night.
“We didn’t shoot the ball the way that we’ve been doing it,” said coach Michael Madrid. “but we found a way to win and at the end of the day that’s the most important thing.
The Javelinas (12-4, 5-0 LSC) overcame the Lions (3-12, 1-6) as they outscored UAFS 10-5 in OT for their fifth conference win in as many games. Additionally, this victory allows TAMUK to claim pole position atop the league, leaving West Texas and Cameron in a tie for second at 4-0.
Sophomore Kryslyn Jones (Seminole/Creek) led all scorers in the SPEC to the tune of 20 points, going 4-8 from beyond the arc while also collecting six rebounds. This marks the second consecutive game in which Jones has eclipsed 20 points after a dominant 23-point outburst against Texas A&M International on Saturday.
Fellow sophomore Georgia Ohiaeri (Las Vegas, Nevada) finished a rebound shy of a double-double. scoring 10 points and shooting 66.7% from the field. Senior Anastacia Mickens (Beaumont, Texas) got the job done on both ends of the floor, as the reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week blocked a shot, recorded two steals, and collected five boards, all while compiling nine points.
Additionally, freshman Kaia Herrera (San Antonio, Texas) logged the first bucket of her collegiate career on Thursday, scoring five points.
TAMUK grabbed an early lead by cobbling together an 11-2 run with junior Brianna Pena (Weslaco, Texas) responsible for five points in the span of three minutes. The Javelinas parlayed their hot start into a 15-6 first quarter advantage before narrowly outscoring the Lions 15-13 in the second frame.
With the score 22-12, Jones nailed backed-to-back shots from beyond the arc, also hitting a jumper to hand the Javelinas an 11-point lead, which they carried into the half. The teams traded buckets for the entirety of the third quarter, with TAMUK holding a 42-32 edge before UAFS came roaring back in the fourth.
The Lions outscored the Blue and Gold 20-10 in the fourth frame, as Mar’shalia Lollie hit a layup with 1:12 remaining to claim her squads first lead of the contest at 52-51. A free throw from freshman Mia Rivers (College Station, Texas) knotted the score at 52-apiece to force overtime.
Jones began the OT by nailing a pair of free throws before hitting a massive shot from beyond the arc to give TAMUK a 57-53 lead with 2:21 left to play. Stellar defense and clutch free throws allowed the Javelinas to finish off strong, claiming a five-point victory.
