KINGSVILLE, Texas – A pair of Kingsville free throws with 11 seconds left was enough to push #14 Texas A&M-Kingsville past St. Edward's 83-82 Saturday afternoon.
It was evident early the intensity this game would have as both teams attacked off the jump, hitting shots from deep. St. Edward's was able to put together a run to go up by ten, 35-25, with 4:50 to play in the half.
St. Edward's was able to maintain a slight advantage the rest of the half and took a six point lead into the locker room, 43-37 on
DANIEL VENZANT's buzzer-beating layup. The two teams combined for 13 first half three-pointers as the Javelinas shot 66.7 percent (6-9) from beyond the arc.
MARCUS HILL was big off the bench for SEU, posting 12 first half points on 5-8 shooting.
Jake Kraka opened the second half with a three to put the Hilltoppers up nine, but TAMUK steadily chipped away and evened the score 48-48 three minutes in. St. Edward's extended their lead to eight one more time with 13:46 to play, but the Javelinas had other plans, tying the game once again.
The lead changed hands multiple times down the stretch with neither team able to go up by more than four points. With 1:10 to play, Krafka drained a three once again and
RYAN GARZA hit a pair of free throws on the next possession, putting SEU up three 82-79 and in a good position to secure the win.
Once again, TAMUK had the answer as Creighton Avery was fouled on his way to the hoop, earning a pair of free throws. Avery hit both, handing the lead back to Kingsville with 11 seconds remaining and
B.J. MAXWELL's three from the top of the key was just short.
Krafka led with 18 points, going 6-11 from the floor as the Hilltoppers shot 46.4 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from three-point range, in the loss. Garza added 17 points, Maxwell 16 while Venzant and Hill contributed 12.
St. Edward's falls to 8-5 on the season and 6-4 in Lone Star Conference play. They return to action on Friday, February 12, hosting Oklahoma Christian at 7 pm at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
