Texas A&M Kingsville

Wendell Mulkey and the Javs fell in the NCAA Tourney, 78-55 on Saturday.

WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI – A loss is an unfortunate way to end a season and a career, but Texas A&M-Kingsville senior point guard Wendell Mulkey (San Antonio/East Central HS) went out on top despite the team’s 78-55 loss in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament to Central Missouri on Saturday night in the UCM Multipurpose Building. (box score)

Playing despite a badly injured shoulder that he sustained during the Lone Star Conference Tournament last week, Mulkey played one of the finest games of his career and kept the Javelinas (19-11) in the game until the final minutes. Mulkey finished the game with 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds while connecting with fellow senior Anthony “Chip” Jones (Fort Worth/N. Richland Hills HS) on four alley-oop lobs.
“I didn’t know if I would be able to contribute but I went out and gave everything I had,” said Mulkey.

When asked about leading the team to the NCAA Tournament after a five year abscense Mulkey commented that, “it felt really good to achieve our goal of getting back to the tournament. I can take with me the fact that the team never gave up and kept fighting the entire time.”

Mulkey finished his career with 498 assists and 229 steals, the only player in school history with over 400 assists and 200 steals.

The Javelinas fell behind early to the Mules (27-4) who attacked the offensive glass to the tune of 11 first half offensive rebounds that led to 12 second chance points. The Javs did not help themselves by committing nine turnovers and grabbing zero offensive rebounds. The Mules went into the break with a 34-21 lead.

In the second half, the Javelinas hung tough and closed to within nine points with 9:28 remaining on a Mulkey layup. A 14-3 run by the Mules over the next four minutes would put the game away.

The Mules had three players scoring in double figures with Sanijay Watts leading the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Moosmann added 12 points while making all four of his three-point attempts and Esian added 11 points and three blocks off the bench. De’Andre Byrd finished with nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Mules shot 47.5 percent from the field, made 7-of-20 three-point attempts and were 13-for-27 at the foul line. The MIAA champions out rebounded the Hoggies 41-31 while forcing 16 turnovers and committing 10.

Jones and Mulkey led the Javelina offense as they combined for 27 points. Jones went 7-of-9 from the floor and had six dunks on the night. He added two blocks shots to finish the year with 64 on the season, a Javelina single season and career record.

The Javelinas shot 42.6 percent from the field, but made only 3-of-14 three-point attempts and were 6-for-11 at the foul line. Robert Williams (Dallas/Kimball HS) added 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

The Javelinas had four players appear in their final collegiate game. Mulkey, Jones, Derrell Blackburn (Arlington/Covenant Christian HS) and Clyde Johnson (San Antonio/Converse Judson HS) finished their careers by leading the team to its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and a 19-11 mark.

Central Missouri advances to the South Central Region semifinals on Sunday night at 6:30 against the winner of the Midwestern State-Incarnate Word game.
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