Maples, Robertson spark MSU Women past TAMUK, 69-59

KINGSVILLE, Texas - Midwestern State University center Katherine Maples scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Mustangs past the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javalinas 69-59 Wednesday night on Kleberg Bank Courtat Steinke Center.

But senior guard Katie Robertson ignited a spirited defensive effort that led to a 14-1 run midway through the second half to give the Mustangs control of the game.

"She was tremendous," MSU coach Shannon Burks said. "She really did a great job. That kind of effort is contagious. Our defense was much better and we started playing better overall."

MSU improved to 10-14 on the season and 4-7 in LSC South Division play, while the Javalinas fell to 5-19 overall and 1-10 in division play.

The Mustangs travel to Denton to face Texas Woman's University on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.

MSU trails TWU by two in the loss column, but can tie the Pioneers for the final berth in the LSC postseason tournament with a win on Saturday if TWU falls to Tarleton State on Thursday night.

"If we're going to get into it, that's going to be the first step," Burks said.

The Mustangs had the Maples' services for six minutes in a sluggish first half, but managed to stay within three points at the half.

The 6-3 center had just four points and three rebounds as MSU struggled to shoot 32.4 percent (12-of-37) from the floor.

"I was not happy with much of anything in the first," Burks said. "We were smarter with our shots in the second half. We played better in the second half."

Robertson sparked the Mustangs' second-half defensive effort that limited Texas A&M-Kingsville to just 28 percent (9-of-32) from the floor.

Stacey Staten's jumper knotted the game at 45-45 at the 13:54-mark of the second half and started a 14-3 run for the Mustangs.

Staten followed a Robertson free throw with a 3-pointer before Maples and Banks had individual four-point runs to give MSU a 57-46 lead with 8:54 remaining.

"We relied too much on the perimeter shots in the first half," Burks said. "Even when KK wasn't getting a shot in the second half, it was creating better perimeter shots."

Angie Faurot added 10 points for the Mustangs, while Banks finished with nine ponts and six assists. Roberts had seven points to go along with five rebounds and two steals.

Jasmine June paced the Javalina attack with 18 points, while Angela Trotter had 17 and Betts finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

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