KINGSVILLE, Texas – The 12^th-ranked Angelo State men's basketball team dropped its first contest of the season, falling to Texas A&M – Kingsville 77-75 in overtime on the road at the Steinke Center on Saturday.
 
With the non-conference loss, the Rams move to 7-1 overall on the year while the Javelinas improve to 6-2.
 
Paul Williams led the Rams with 19 points on the night, going 16-of-18 from the free throw line. He added five rebounds and four steals in the game.
 
With a strong start for ASU, the Rams took an early 16-9 lead over TAMUK after a three-pointer by Dante Moses, earning the largest lead of the first half.
 
The Javelinas took their first lead since the opening bucket with 8:52 to play in the half, hitting a jumper, closing out on a 12-0 run before settling for a 30-26 advantage at halftime.
 
Angelo State shot 39.7 percent on the night compared to 37 percent from TAMUK while edging out the rebounding battle 41 to 39. The Javelinas allowed fewer turnovers, giving up 13 while forcing 18 by the Rams.
 
Midway through the second half, TAMUK built an eight-point lead over ASU, hitting a three to go up 50-42. After trading baskets back and forth, the Rams finally tied the game 65-65 before a layup by Moses with 30 seconds remaining sent the game to overtime.
 
Tyrell Carroll finished with 15 points on the night while Moses added 13 points and Lathaniel Bastian collected 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
 
The Rams couldn't get a field goal in overtime, going 0-for-3 from the field while scoring all eight points in the period from the free throw line, all coming from Williams.
 
ASU led 774-72 with 1:34 to play before a three-pointer by the Javelinas gave them the lead late, holding on to win in the first overtime game of the season for the Rams.
 
The Rams will continue play next week as they host St. Edward's in a neutral site game in Brownwood, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 11, before facing St. Mary's on Monday, Dec. 13 in the Junell Center.