Western to Defend Home Court Against Javelinas and Rams

Men's Basketball 1/16/2019 1:25:00 PM

Western to Defend Home Court Against Javelinas and Rams

Silver City, NM-- Looking to break a losing streak and earn their first conference win, the Mustang men return to Drag's Court this weekend playing host the Texas A&M – Kingsville and Angelo State.

LAST TIME OUT:

The Mustangs (3-9, 0-5 LSC) were 0-–2 last weekend on the road. A back and forth battle against Cameron gave way to a second half run by the Aggies to take an 82-70 victory.

Western kept it close throughout most of the first half, but with three minutes left a costly turnover lead to a three-pointer by the Aggies and a ten-point lead. A couple of free-throws by Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy) before the break decreased the Aggie lead to six.

The second half saw the Mustangs try to close on the lead, but foul trouble with just under a minute left led to the Aggies converting on free throws and running away with the game.

In the battle of the Mustangs, Western found themselves down 46-22 at the half. Going 18-of-31 (58.1 %) from the floor and 11-of-18 (61.1 %) from the foul line led the Mustangs to score 45 points in the second half.

Despite outscoring the Aggies in the second half, the gap was too large to close and Midwestern won 88-70.

SCOUTING THE JAVELINAS:

Texas A&M – Kingsville enters the match 6-7 overall, 2-3 through LSC play. With the home court advantage last weekend the Javelinas defeated then ranked #8 West Texas A&M, followed by a 68-59 win over Eastern New Mexico.

As a true freshman, Darius Mickens leads the scoring efforts with 105 points on the season, for an average of 8.1 points per game shooting 51.9 percent from the floor. Mickens efforts puts him 38^th overall in the LSC.

Voted to finish 9^th in the preseason polls, the Javelinas sit seventh in the current conference standings. Averaging 68.0 points per game, while holding their opponents to 66.8 points the Javelinas come in 10^th overall in scoring offense but second in scoring defense.

HISTORY VERSUS THE JAVELINAS:

Kingsville won both of the meetings last season, as well as the season before bringing the series to 4-0 in favor of the Javelinas. In the most recent meeting at the end of February last year, Kingsville took a decisive 80-40 win over the Mustangs.

Former Mustang, Latrell Spivey (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) as well as CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) both scored in double-digits with 10 points in the loss.

SCOUTING THE RAMS:

Angelo State enters the weekend 10-4 overall, 3-2 in conference play. In a battle of #2 and #4, West Texas avenged their loss from the night before, defeating Angelo State 78-89 in San Angelo.

Under third season head coach Cinco Boone, the Rams look to return to the LSC Conference Tournament Championship. Senior forward, Antonio Singleton has progressively improved, scoring in double-digits in the last six games with a season high 33 against St. Edwards. His efforts put him atop the stat charts with 203 points, averaging 14.5 points per game putting him 8^th in the LSC.

Teammate Josh Boutte defensively leads with 6.9 rebounds, while James Kirksey averages 2.3 steals per game and 0.6 blocks. As a team the Rams out rebound their opponents by a 8.3 margin. Their efforts both offensive and defensive put them fourth in the LSC.

HISTORY VERSUS THE RAMS:

Since joining the Lone Star Conference in 2016, the Rams lead 3-1 with the Mustangs first win over Angelo State coming in the last game of the 17'-18' season in San Angelo.

Behind a 16-point performance by Jon-Reese Woodson (Corpus Christi, TX/Carroll) and 14 from CJ Vanbeekum (Phoenix, AZ/Paradise) the Mustangs shot 46.9 percent from the field and hit eight three pointers to push past the Rams and end the season on a high note.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK:

After their first 2-0 start to the season since 06'-07' the Mustang men have struggled to get back in the winner's column. Their last win came back on Nov. 27^th when Western defeated Texas A&M – International on the road.

STEADY SENIOR

Jon-Reese Woodson (Corpus Christi, TX/Carroll) is making the most of his last year averaging 14.0 points per game, putting him at #10 in the LSC scoring category. Woodson's 5.5 rebounds also ranks him 16^th in the LSC. Shooting 48.3 percent from the floor and 51.9 percent from the foul line. He almost matched his season high of 25 points, falling a point short against Midwestern State.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Willie McCray: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#12 Latrell Spivey: F; 6' 8"; Graduate Student

#14 CJ Vanbeekum: G/F; 6' 5"; Junior

#10 Jon-Reese Woodson: F; 6' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Willie McCray
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#12 Latrell Spivey
: 6' 8"; Graduate Student
: F

#14 CJ Vanbeekum
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G/F

#10 Jon-Reese Woodson
: 6' 9"; Senior
: F