ALLEN, Texas (Women's Basketball) – In what was a run for the ages, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (14-14) ran into a streaky Tarleton State University (15-13) team in the 2017 Lone Star Conference semifinals at the Allen Event Center. Unfortunately for the No. 8 Javelinas, the No. 5 TexAnns advanced to the title game to take on No. 2 Angelo State University with a 60-47 defeat.
The 2016-17 season was a redemption year for TAMUK, who earned the most wins since 2009-10 and picked up its first tournament victory since 2001. With Thursday's victory over top seed Eastern New Mexico University, the Javelinas became the first team in conference history to upset the No. 1 seed as the No. 8.
The Javelinas went from a five-win club that was picked to finish last in the LSC to upsetting the top ranked Greyhounds en route to eight conference wins.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It was a process and is but this great group set the foundation for teams to come." – head coach
Wade Scott
Six seniors played in their final collegiate games as
Kaylin Roher,
Tee Moore,
Meesha Wade,
Kaylee Kana,
Lily Hospers and
Joslyn Smith (did not play due to injury).
Second chance opportunities and points off turnovers pushed Tarleton State into Sunday's championship but the Javelinas went down swinging, mustering two rallies to cut with a possession.
Moore finished with 11 points, two assists, one blocked shot and a steal and Kana added 10 points and five rebounds.
FIRST PERIOD
The Javelinas began with a technical foul and were on the wrong end of an 11-5 game with 4:50 remaining in the first. Tarleton was a menace on the offensive glass, picking up four boards in the opening minutes.
Through one, the TexAnns led 18-5 behind 12 points off turnovers.
SECOND PERIOD
After the Purple and Black scored the quarter's opening points, Texas A&M-Kingsville went on a quick 6-0 run to force a TSU timeout and cutting the deficit to single digits.
Moments later,
Angelica Wilson spearheaded a 7-0 run as the junior scored all seven points for TAMUK to make it a 23-18 ballgame with 5:50 left to play in the first half. The break came with up Tarleton State leading 31-22. Jelly had seven points and seven rebounds in the first half.
The TexAnns made the most of Kingsville's turnovers, scoring 16 points off miscues to TAMUK's zero.
THIRD PERIOD
In the halfway mark of the third period, A&M-Kingsville held TSU scoreless for over two minutes to cut the deficit to seven with 2:21 left to play. After the TexAnn bucket,
Tee Moore answered back with a jumper of her own and defensively, swiped the ball that led to free throws for the senior. The Northwestern State University transfer drained both to make it 40-35 with 1:35 remaining.
The 7-0 run ended with
Kaylee Kana's and one that made it a one possession ballgame with 58.8 ticks left to play. Through three, the No. 5 TexAnns led the No. 8 Javelinas 42-38.
FOURTH PERIOD
Tarleton State came out firing and extended its cushion to 10 to begin the fourth and ultimately took the ballgame 60-47.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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