KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Angelo State men's basketball team saw the 2020-21 season end on Tuesday as the Rams played a close matchup with fourth-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament, falling just short in a 73-65 loss at the Gil E. Steinke Center.
 
The Rams closed out the regular season with three straight wins as they finished with an overall record of 8-9 in the shortened season, taking fifth in the conference standings. ASU advanced the to LSC tournament for eight consecutive years, making every time under Head Coach Cinco Boone.
 
The first half saw two very different squads as the Javelinas took an early lead in the contest. Tied 4-4, TAMUK scored six straight and kept the lead for a majority of the half, taking their largest lead of the first period at 20-13.
 
After that, Sam Moore hit the first three-pointer of the game, sparking a 13-2 run by the Rams, including back-to-back buckets by Andre Nunley to take a 26-22 lead with just over four minutes to go in the first half.
 
Both teams shot evenly from the field, ending with a field goal percentage of 43 percent. ASU edged out the Javelinas at the free throw line, shooting 70 percent while TAMUK won the battle under the basket, collecting 40 rebounds to 31 for the Rams.
 
Tied after the first half at 30-30, Kevon Godwin scored six of the first eight points for the Rams to begin the second half as both teams remained close.
 
The Javelinas broke away again finally, scoring 11 straight points to go up 48-38 with 12:35 on the clock, taking the only double-digit lead of the game. That lead wouldn't last long as the Rams scored a 10-1 run to climb back with a point.
 
Paul Williams led the Rams offensively, scoring 17 points while Godwin and Nunley each recorded 10 points in the game. Elijah Moleon collected five boards and added seven points on the night.
 
Both teams went on a few more runs with the Javelinas back up by nine points before ASU answered to come within three points of the lead again at 62-59.
 
TAMUK put the game away in the final moments scoring six straight points while forcing two turnovers to hold off the Rams and advance in the tournament.