SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State men's basketball team was dropped its home matchup with Texas A&M – Kingsville, 63-50, in the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center on Saturday evening.
The Rams fall to 12-6 overall and 4-6 in the Lone Star Conference with Saturday's loss. The ASU defense tallied 12 steals for the game while the offense had three players rack-up double-figure points. With the win the Javelinas climb to 12-7, 5-5 LSC.
Thomas Tshikaya lead the team in both total points with 14 and total boards as he grabbed eight for the game. The senior was 6-11 from inside the arc and 2-3 from the stripe. He also added a steal to his final numbers. Quay King followed with a squad second 11 points for the night. He co-led the Rams with three assists. Brandon Williams rounds out the double-digit point group with 10 points scored against the Javelinas and was 5-5 from short range. The forward also tallied a block, a steal and a team second four rebounds to aid the defense.
Napoleon Onyeje Jr., who also co-led the Rams with three assists and recorded as well as recording a career high four steals. In his first appearance since December 19, Prince Foster turned in a pair of assists and a team second two steals in 18 mins of play.
Tshikaya got things started for the Rams hitting a short range jumper. After TAMUK answered with a three ball, Williams came back with a big dunk to place ASU up 4-3, with two minutes off the game clock. This would be the last time Angelo State would hold a lead in the first half. At the 2:15 mark, a Tshikaya layup followed by the follow up foul shot would bring the game back to an even 22-22. TAMUK would take a four point lead with 1:36 on the clock, but another Williams layup off a fast break and two Onyeje Jr. free throws once again brought the game to tied score. The two teams would enter the break tied at 26.
The Javelinas would strike first in the second half hitting an early jumper. A pairs of free throws by King would bring the game back to 28 apiece. He would then knock down a jumper from inside the arc and a foul shot at the 17:33 mark to help the Rams take its first lead since early in the first half. Both teams would exchange points and the game would be tied up four more times before the Javelinas would take over the lead for the remainder of the game with 10:05 left on the game clock. Texas A&M – Kingsville would then pull away with a double-digit lead and close out the game.
Angelo State will return to the court in the Stephens Arena at the Junell Center on Thursday, February 2 to take on the Cameron University Aggies at 7:30 p.m.
