KINGSVILLE, Texas — Texas A&M-Kingsville men's and women's basketball need Javelina Nation's support on Thursday for a Lone Star Conference Showdown. Both programs are hosting nationally ranked opponents in Division II.
The TAMUK women (10-5, 6-3) are riding a 4 game winning streak before playing No. 2 Texas Woman's University (15-1, 8-1).
"We have some versatile players that can both inside and out," said TAMUK women's basketball head coach Michael Madrid. "We've been shooting the ball really, really well from the 3 point line and inside the 3 point line, so I think it will be a fun game."
Madrid leads a Javelina squad that shares the rock on offense. In the last two games six different players scored in double-figures. Grad student Janessa Payne is paving the way with 142 points in 15 games.
"I think we've been more focused on playing together as a team and playing together on defense, so collectively we're getting better working together," Payne said.
Kingsville has won 10 games and lost 5 so far this season. A strong start that got a little rocky after an injury ended the season for their freshman guard Logan Borchardt. The Bishop grad scored 68 points in 6 games. Since then, the Javelinas found a way to re-group.
"We're just being more aggressive and really being more efficient with the ball," Borchardt said. "I think I see a lot now on the sidelines, but I still try to do my best to encourage and really give them what I see."
Kingsville looks to keep their winning streak alive, but Thursday will feature a test between two really good defenses. Last year Kingsville barely lost to Texas Woman's University 62-59.
"Well I'm personally from Fort Worth, so TW I just don't like them. As a team it's just a really big matchup. We know they're a good team, so we want to show them what we got" Payne said.
The game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and will be the first of two home games for the team this weekend, with a Saturday afternoon matchup against UT-Tyler. TAMUK, Texas Woman's and UT Tyler are battling for the top of the standings in the Lone Star Conference.
The TAMUK men also play Thursday right after the women's game around 7:30 p.m. against No. 16 Dallas Baptist University.
"This is an up and growing basketball community in the Corpus area and Kingsville," said TAMUK men's basketball head coach Omar Gonzalez. I think it just gives kids and families that are looking to get involved in the sport an opportunity to really watch a high level Division II basketball game."
