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Jan. 31, 2009

Box Score

Kingsville, Texas – West Texas A&M fell to Texas A&M-Kingsville, 68-60, Saturday night at the Steinke Center in Kingsville, Texas. The game saw both head coaches, including WTAMU head coach Rick Cooper wearing ‘normal’ coaching attire, rather than a jacket and tie, in support of Coaches Against Cancer.

The loss drops WTAMU to 13-7 overall, 3-2 in LSC South play, while TAMU-K improves its marks to 15-4, 4-1 LSC South. In the tight LSC South race, the Javelinas remain tied for first, while the loss drops the Buffaloes to fourth place.

WT held a four point lead, 17-13, at the 11:12 mark of the first half. But the Javelinas responded with a 12-3 run, taking a 25-20 lead and did not trail the remainder of the game. After trailing, 37-30, at the half, TAMU-K opened up an 11 point gap, 42-31, early in the second half.

The Buffaloes fought back to tie the score, 58-58, with just 5:30 to play in the game. However, TAMU-K opened an eight point lead down the stretch, eventually winning by that margin, 68-60.

Post Bijan Dotson had a season-high 19 points as well as a team-high seven rebounds to pace the Buffs in both categories. Nick Burns was the only other Buff to hit double-digit scoring totals, with 17 points. The Portland, Ore. native also chipped in with four rebounds and four assists.

As a team, the Buffaloes shot just 40.4 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from beyond the arc, hitting just seven of 28 three-point attempts, as well as being off the mark from the free throw line, making just 11 of 19 for 57.9 percent. Texas A&M-Kingsville made 51.0 percent of their field goal attempts, as well as 61.9 percent from the line.

The Javelinas didn’t shoot many three’s, but hit the few they took, making five of eight. They also outrebounded the Buffs by a 34-31 margin.

Individually, the Javelinas were led by Flavio Milam’s 20-point, seven rebound effort. Adan Montalvo and Anthony Jones scored 10 points apiece. Robert Williams enjoyed a six rebound effort for TAMU-K

“Credit Kingsville,” said WT head coach Rick Cooper. “Their defense was good and they changed defenses up on us. But again, we didn’t hit our free throws and that hurt. We’ve been working on them, believe me.”

“We missed a couple easy shots inside,” Cooper continued. “We struggle to score inside at times.

“The real truth is that people don’t understand how much these other teams love to beat West Texas. The teams, the crowds, they love to see us lose. And it’s not this team’s fault. It’s the guys who played here before them. WT is known for its strong athletic program and we have the target on our backs. We’ve just got to continue to grow and improve.”

The Buffs return home Wednesday, Feb. 4, to host Eastern New Mexico. Tip-off at the First United Bank Center is set for 8 p.m. CST.