LSC Roundup 2-1

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Men's Basketball News
Box Scores, Standings and Statistics

(Recaps not available on Lone Star Conference website at this time.)


Texans race past Javs for 5-0 start in LSC South

By BRAD KEITH
Sports Editor
brad.keith@empiretribune.com

KINGSVILLE - Effran Bryant dominated the first half and Devon Hills took over in the second as Tarleton State (17-3, 5-0) won for the 12th time in 13 games by knocking off Texas A&M-Kingsville (11-9, 1-4) 74-50 at the Steinke Center Saturday night.

Bryant poured in 17 in the first half and finished with a season-high 22. The senior’s career high is 23. Hills had 13 in the second, finishing with 19.

The Texans remain unbeaten in Lone Star Conference South Division play after handing the Javelinas just their second road loss of the season. TAMUK is 9-2 at home.

“Our kids really played well. I’m so proud of their work ethic and the way they take the game plan to the gym,” Tarleton head coach Lonn Reisman said. “This team is also very unselfish. They don’t pull from each other, they pull for each other, and it shows when we play the way we did (Saturday).”

Bryant drained five three-point field goals in the opening 20 minutes, the last of which gave the Texans their first double-digit lead at 31-21. It was a 13-point cushion before TAMUK beat the halftime buzzer with a deep three to make it 34-24.

Hills took his turn to dominate after the break, answering four straight Kingsville points to begin the half with a slam dunk that made it 38-30 with 15:57 remaining.

The Javs were down just nine until Corin Henry converted an old-fashion three-point play and Hills did the same on the ensuing possession to stretch the advantage to 46-31 with 11:34 left.

Tarleton finally moved ahead by 20 when Hills hit two of four free throws after a personal and technical foul.

The Texans then turned to three-point bombs to put the dagger in the Javs. Henry drained one from deep to make it 63-40 with 5:45 left, and Bryant turned the rain into a downpour with his sixth trey to make it 68-42 with four minutes to go.

Hills finished his scoring with a deuce to give Tarleton it’s largest lead at 70-42.

Bryant and Hills were joined in double figures by Henry with 15 and Donta Smith with 10. Smith also had nine rebounds and Henry tallied four assists.

Tarleton shot 53 percent, topping the 50 percent mark for the second straight time on the road after hitting 59 percent at West Texas A&M one week prior.

The Javs were led by Marcus Ford with 12 while Antwan Mullins scored 11.

TAMUK shot just 37 percent against the Texans, who entered the contest second in the nation in field goal percentage defense and are 15-0 when opponents shoot under 40 percent.

“This team has really bought into what we’re doing defensively,” Reisman said. “Good defense leads to good offense and that’s been very visible the way we’ve played so far in the South.”

The Texans, who have won their five South Division games by an average of 22.6 points, return home to Wisdom Gym for the beginning of the LSC’s “Rivalry Week.” No. 11 Midwestern State, which is 19-1 and only half a game behind Tarleton in the South at 4-1, visits Tarleton Wednesday before the Texans travel to Wichita Falls for a rematch Saturday.

Wednesday’s showdown is scheduled for 8 p.m., following a 6 p.m. women’s game.

“Wednesday’s game is big for our team, our university and our community,” Reisman said. “I hope everyone will come out and be ready to see a great battle for first place in the league.”

Women's Basketball News
Box Scores, Standings and Statistics

(Recaps not available on Lone Star Conference website at this time.)



Recruiting News
Southeastern Oklahoma picks up Bryce Ray (Captain Shreve HS - safety).
West Texas A&M gets a commit. Santa Fe HS defensive end Shane Sobnosky will sign with the Buffs on Wednesday.

Dickinson running back, Corey Thomas, is getting some interest from Eastern New Mexico and might get an offer from Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Wylie HS players with offers: QB Matt Preston has an offer from ENMU, and WR Austin Gray has offers from ENMU and ACU.

Earnest Garnder picks the UL Cajuns over Midwestern State. The Mustangs and ACU also missed out on Stafford HS WR Boris Anyama.

Brenham star Arthur "Bubba" Morgan is expected to sign with Tarleton State, while teammate Kenneth Allen is considering Tarleton State and Blinn College.

Northeastern State picks up commitments from Broken Arrow RB Steven Hopper and James Renfrow. Central Oklahoma has a commitment from Tiger teammates LB Jon Bullock, OL Trey Stephens and DE Terry Williamson.

Kilgore HS center Shadow Stokes has committed to Midwestern State.

The Abilene Reporter News looks at ACU's recruiting needs.

The Amarillo Globe News looks at WTAM's recruiting needs.