KINGSVILLE, Texas (January 6) – The Cameron Aggie basketball teams made the nine and a half hour drive southbound this afternoon to take on the Javelinas of Texas A&M – Kingsville. Unfortunately, both teams were swept and have a long trek back to Lawton with a loss fresh on their minds. The women’s team (1-12) lost the opening game, 62-59, with the men (9-4) following suit in the later game, 87-70.
The CU women’s team was within striking distance throughout their contest, but could not do enough to put the Javelinas (4-9) away. The Aggies were looking for their first winning streak of the season, but came up just short.
“We played a pretty good basketball game, but couldn’t even throw it in the ocean,” Head Coach Kevin Hackerott said. “A game like this dampens our spirits because we know we should have won the game, we just missed too many shots.”
Junior guard Tiffany Williams continued her spectacular week, finishing the game with a game-high 25 points, just two less than the season-high she recorded last Thursday. Williams also recorded a team-high 7 rebounds, to go along with 2 assists. Due to her stellar week (52 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal), she has been nominated for Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
“Tiffany just played well tonight,” Coach Hackerott said. “I know she can keep this kind of play up.” Williams was the only CU player to score in double figures.
The Aggies shot just 30.8% from the field in the game, making only 9 of their 36 shots (25%) in the second half. The team was able to continue their low turnover margin however, giving up just 15 turnovers against TAMUK. CU gave up just 11 last Thursday against Texas Woman’s University.
Junior forward Sarah Moore and senior guard Shantel Whitaker were the focal point of Cameron’s defense this afternoon. Moore contributed well defensively finishing with 1 steal, 2 rebounds, and a game-high 2 blocks. Whitaker finished with 3 rebounds and a game-high 3 steals, all seeming to come when CU needed them the most.
“We just came up a bit short tonight,” Coach Hackerott said. “Now we have two more games to get ready for conference play and are going to load up on everything to get prepared.”
The CU men’s team was also in action against the Javelinas (12-1), but was never able to take a lead. The defeat is Cameron’s second loss in a row, after a five-game winning streak.
“This game was good for us,” Head Coach Maury Leitzke said. “Our kids played their hearts out and were really battling throughout the game. We are improving and we just need to keep getting better and better with each game.”
The Aggies were down by nearly thirty points at halftime, but wouldn’t give up and were able to rebound to win the second half by nine points. While the loss is certainly frustrating, the Aggies will be able to take solace in the fact that TAMUK is on the verge of breaking into the National Top 25 Rankings. They received 13 points in the most recent poll, just 4 votes behind the No. 25 team (Christian Brothers College).
“Kingsville just played an unbelievable first half and were really clicking on all cylinders,” Coach Leitzke said. The Javelinas were playing in their fourth consecutive home game, and are arguably one of the best teams in the region.
Just two Aggies scored in double digits in one of Cameron’s lower scoring games this season. Senior guard Matt Reid finished with a game-high 20 points on 5 for 12 shooting, while junior guard Joseph Bolden finished with just 13 points on an equal 5 for 12 shooting. Reid also recorded 3 rebounds, 1 block, and a game-high 3 steals. Bolden contributed 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and a team-high 8 rebounds.
Junior forward Leboise Gladden, a recent addition to the squad from Los Angeles, California, is beginning to make his presence felt on the floor. Gladden finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, and a game-high 4 blocks.
“It speaks very highly of our kids to be able to come back like that in the second half,” Coach Leitzke said. “We hung right with them (the Javelinas) in a lot of other aspects besides shooting.”
Both of the Aggie basketball teams are now off until their home double-header next Thursday against Angelo State University in the Aggie Gym. The women tip off at 6:00pm with the men beginning at 8:00pm. The home contest will also feature Hugo the Hornet (the Oklahoma City Hornets Mascot) who will be on hand to perform his award-winning, acrobatic, basketball stunts and slam-dunks. Hugo is a three-time winner of the NBA’s Best Mascot Award.