SAN ANGELO, Texas – Playing at home for the first time this season, the Angelo State men's basketball team will try to bounce back from a tough opening weekend of Lone Star Conference play as the Rams host Texas A&M – Kingsville beginning Friday at Stephens Arena at the Junell Center.
As the LSC continues back-to-back play, Friday's game is set for 6:30 p.m., and Saturday's game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Angelo State came up against a hot-shooting DBU squad to begin the season, dropping both games on the weekend, 101-75 and 93-86. ASU played much better in game two of the series, tallying six players in double figures in points with
Salisu Yahaya leading the way with 17 points. The Patriots held off the
Rams with the three-ball, making 19 shots from behind the arc to hold on to the lead late.
Sam Baker led in scoring in game one, totaling 20 points in his Rams debut.
ANGELO STATE (0-2, 0-2) vs. TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE (2-0, 2-0)
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ALL-TIME SERIES:
The Rams currently lead the all-time series against TAMUK, holding a 57-54 advantage. Angelo State has had a strong showing against the Javelinas, winning the last four matchups while going 12-4 under Coach Boone.
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE:
The Javelinas have had a quick start to their seasons, jumping out to a 2-0 record after sweeping both games against Arkansas-Fort Smith. Much like DBU, TAMUK found success beyond the arc, hitting 30 three-pointers over two games, including 17 in game two against the Lions. The Javelinas are averaging 86.5 points per game which ranks third in the Lone Star Conference while giving up only 66, the lowest average in the LSC, after holding UAFS to below 60 points in an 89-58 victory.
Jordan Wilson has been the leader for TAMUK, averaging 16 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the field. Behind him, Sammy Brooks and Ellis Jones both are averaging 12.5 points while Jones is shooting 7-of-13 from three-point range.
EARLY SUCCESS FROM THE LINE:
Angelo State repeatedly got to the free-throw line against DBU, going 33-for-43 in two games and shooting 77 percent. In game two, the Rams made 17 free throws out of 20 attempts, shooting 85 percent in the game. Yahaya leads ASU, shooting 8-of-9 from the line. The Rams also lead the Lone Star Conference in free throw percentage.
SAM BAKER FILE:
Well-traveled by his junior year,
Sam Baker has made an immediate impact for the Rams, leading his team in points after the first weekend of play. Averaging 12.5 points per game, Baker opened the season with a 20-point performance, shooting 8-of-17 from the field. He's added six rebounds, five assists, and four steals on the weekend.
AVERAGING DOUBLE-FIGURES:
Baker is the only one averaging double-figures in points, as three other Rams are also averaging 10-plus points after the first weekend of play.
Paul Williams sits with 11 points per game while averaging five rebounds and tallying nine assists. Following him is Yahaya with 10.5 points per game, and another newcomer in
Kevon Godwin who is averaging 10.0 points while shooting a team-high 70 percent from the field.
TOP 5 IN THE LSC:
As a team, the Rams rank third in the conference in assists, averaging 17.5 per game. ASU is also fifth in steals (18), fifth in turnover margin (plus-0.5), and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.10). Individually, Williams ranks fourth in the league in assists, averaging 4.5 per game.
