RGV Capsules: Javelinas, Texans meet again

The last time Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State met was Oct. 3, and both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 11 teams in the country. Flash forward six weeks and both teams are 9-2 ranked 12th and 13th, respectively, and are playing in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

On Saturday, the No. 12 Texans get their chance at revenge after the No. 13 Javelinas won the first contest 34-20 thanks to an offense that scored twice and a defense that forced three turnovers during the final six minutes of the game. The game will be played at 1 p.m. at Javelina Stadium.

On Oct. 3, the Javelinas found out that they had a star in junior running back Fred Winborn. He rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the game, including a 42-yard scamper with 2:32 left in the game. It was his first 100-yard game of the season and propelled him to a 1,000-yard season.

A key for the Javs could be if senior quarterback Billy Garza has a better performance than the first time the two teams played. He went 12 for 26 for 151 yards and an interception, but did connect with E.J. LeBlanc and Sherman Batiste on touchdown passes. Garza needs just one completion to set the school record for most completions in a career as he is tied with Abel Gonzalez at 414.

The Texans were hit by the turnover bug in October, losing the ball six times. Quarterback Scott Grantham passed for 256 yards and one touchdown but was picked off three times and also lost a crucial fumble late in the game. His favorite target then and now is Devin Guinn, who had nine catches for 119 yards and one touchdown, and he has 63 receptions for 947 yards and seven TDs this year.

The TSU running attack features the two-headed monster of Roderick Smith and Evan Robertson. Smith averaged 71.4 yards per game, and Robertson chipped in with 67.0 yards per game. Robertson caused the Hogs all sorts of problems with 96 yards on 15 carries, but Smith was limited to 7 yards on 11 carries.

The winner of the game likely will have the defense that performs better. The Texans are allowing just 308.5 yards per game but were torched last week by West Texas A&M for more than 500 yards passing and 600 yards of total offense. The Javelinas have not held a team under 31 points since their win over TSU.

The winner of the game will play No. 1 Central Washington in Ellensburg, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 21.

-- TAMUK Services

Broncs open tough regular season today

EDINBURG — The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team is about to embark on one of its most difficult schedules in recent memory.

The Broncs’ two-game exhibition slate may suggest they are no where ready for their brutal competition in the coming weeks and months, beginning with Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. today at the UTPA Field House.

UTPA lost to Division II St. Edwards’s 84-72 last Saturday but defeated another D-II opponent, Texas A&M-International, 64-54 on Monday.

Although there were signs of improvements between the two exhibition contests, Broncs first-year coach Ryan Marks said the team needs improvement if it expects to be competitive.

"I think the improvement was more substantial then even the outcome may have suggested" Marks said. "At the same time, if we play at the same level (today) like we played against International, it probably isn’t going to be a real rosy day for the Broncs."

Junior guard Manny Hendrix tried to downplay the two preparation games, adding that the Broncs are still becoming acquainted with one another.

The team is limited in its Division I experience with new faces comprising more than half the squad.

"It is always disappointing to lose," Hendrix said. "It’s better to lose early and find out what you did wrong and make the corrections, which we did against A&M-International."

As of today, though, it is no longer about their exhibition games. Tech is a team on the rise. WAC coaches picked the Bulldogs to finish fifth in the conference after they made a nine-game improvement last season.

Tech may not seem like a daunting foe but it took care of its exhibition game 91-54 against Lincoln Missouri University. Marks includes the Bulldogs as among the best they will play this season.

If Hendrix is worried, he is not showing it.

"We play a lot of big-time schools," Hendrix said. "We feel like our coaching staff will have us ready for these games so we can knock some of these teams off and get our stock up. … I’m not trying to take anything away from the teams we are playing but they tie their shoes just like we do."

FREE THROWS: Broncs post Luis Valera led the team in scoring (28 points) and rebounds (15) in the two exhibition games and has looked more aggressive. "It is my last year and I want to have a great season. I want to do good and help my team have a winning season," Valera said. … Bulldogs return guard Kyle Gibson, who averaged 16.1 points last season.

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com.

UTPA volleyball captures 3-2 win

The University of Texas-Pan American women’s volleyball team captured a 3-2 win in their final home match of the season against Houston Baptist at the UTPA Field House.

The last time the women captured a home win was Oct. 31, 2008, when they defeated Texas Southern in three straight sets.

"Tonight’s contest featured two teams that were evenly matched. The winner in the end was going to be the one who wanted it the most and we wanted it more," UTPA coach Angela Hubbard said.

"Each time we step out on that court, we need to play to win."

The Lady Broncs started 2-0 as they picked up 25-21 and 25-23 wins during the first two sets. As Houston Baptist took a lead on a service ace by Natalie Magat in the first set, the Lady Broncs made their way back and tied the score at 19 on a kill by Jimena Gandara. UTPA took the final lead on an attack error by HBU.

The second set was much like the first for the Lady Broncs; a kill by Kaitlin Vasquez secured the final lead for the Lady Broncs. UTPA then fell short in the third and fourth sets as it lost 15-25 and 24-26, respectively.

With one last chance to grab a win, the Lady Broncs started the fifth set 5-0 before HBU scored. Houston Baptist came within three points of UTPA, but fell short as a kill by Rita Gonzalez secured the third win for the Lady Broncs.

Senior Noelle Mayor led the team offensively with 11 kills along with four assists, two digs, and three blocks. Freshman Sarah Davis added nine kills along with one dig and four blocks. Rita Gonzalez also added 34 assists for the Lady Broncs along with 12 digs, while Rebecca Toddy recorded 20 digs.

Houston Baptist featured four Huskies in double-digit kills with Heather Leaverton collecting a match-high 16 kills. Setter Natalie Magat recorded 56 assists for the Huskies, while Courtney Whittleman added 28 digs.

The Lady Broncs will have a week off before heading to the inaugural Great West Conference Tournament on Nov. 20 at Houston Baptist.

Hockey

Killer Bees loses 5-2 on the road

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees dropped a 5-2 decision to the Odessa Jackalopes at the Ector County Coliseum on Friday night.

Five different players scored for the Jackalopes, who won their sixth game in a row. Odessa scored three times in the second period, including twice on the power play, and also had a shorthanded goal.

Zak McClellan scored shorthanded for RGV in the first period while Stacey Bauman made it a 3-2 game in the third. RGV (5-4-1) visits Texas at 7 p.m. Saturday and travels to Laredo on Sunday to wrap up a four-game-in-five-days stretch.

The Killer Bees return to home at 7 pm. Tuesday against Corpus Christi.