Javalinas' big start too much for MSU Men to overcome

KINGSVILLE, Texas - It didn't take long until push turned to shove Wednesday night.

And that suited Texas A&M-Kingsville just fine.

The Javalinas raced out to a 23-4 lead eight minutes into the contest and then coasted to a 66-51 win over the Midwestern State University Mustangs on Kleberg Bank Courtat Steinke Center.

 "They were ready to play," MSU coach Jeff Ray said. "I thought we were ready to play, but they took it to another level. The game was really physical and when it gets like that, we really struggle."

The Mustangs dropped to 15-10 on the season and more importantly fell to 4-6 in LSC South Division play, while Texas A&M-Kingsville improved to 16-8 and 6-3.

MSU won't return to the floor until next Wednesday night at Ligon Coliseum against West Texas A&M before closing the regular season against Eastern New Mexico.

The Mustangs trail Eastern New Mexico by one game in the loss column, but can secure an LSC conference tournament berth with a pair of wins next week.

"Our destiny's in our own hands right now," Ray said.

The Javalinas physical play kept three-time LSC South player of the week Eric Dawson in check as the 6-9 junior center finished with nine points and five rebounds.

"They pressured the ball coming up the floor," Ray said. "They were very physical with Eric and our whole team."

Texas A&M-Kingsville limited the Mustangs to 34.9-percent (15-of-43) for the game and forced 21 MSU miscues, which resulted 33 points for the Javalinas.

"Because of games like this, we're changing our recruiting philosophy," Ray said. "We're going to get some of those 6-3, 220-pound guys and join them."

Chad Rickett led the Mustangs with 14 points and four assists, while Eddie Rowe added 10 points and four steals

Remi Yusuf paced Texas A&M-Kingsville with 19 points, while Kia Griffin had 14 and Ricky Huckaby added 13.

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