STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton got back in the win column by grinding out a 74-66 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday in Wisdom Gym.
 
Tarleton's starters combined for 67 of the team's 74 points, led by Corinthian Ramsey's 19 points. The Texan defense held the Javelinas to 33 percent shooting, while countering with a 45-percent shooting performance of their own.
 
The teams went back and forth for the first 12 minutes of play, as the Texans and Javelinas were tied at 28-28 after Ramsey drilled a 3-pointer. Ramsey's basket led to a 16-3 Texan run over the final seven minutes of the half that was capped off by Preston Enloe's corner three at the buzzer to lead 41-29 at the break.
 
A&M-Kingsville stayed in the game in the first half in large part by the 3-pointer. Seven of the nine field goals were 3-pointers for the Javelinas. They finished with 13 3's in the game.
 
The Texans (8-6, 4-2) held a double-digit lead for the first part of the second half behind Ramsey's 12 second-half points. Sam Marshall, who had four points off the bench, gave the Texans its largest lead at 60-44 with a layup with 8:37 to go.
 
Rebound was a deciding factor in the game, as the Texans out-rebounded A&M-Kingsville 42-35. Josh Hawley recorded his second straight double-double and sixth of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with three blocks. Jesse Hill grabbed a career-high eight boards and added 11 points.
 
The Javelinas climbed back to within eight points in the final minute but Ramsey drilled a 3-pointer at the top of the key to push the Texan lead back to double digits and secure the win.
 
Jaraan Lands had 13 points and seven rebounds while Deshawn Riddick had nine points and five rebounds. All five Texan starters posted at least nine points and five rebounds.
 
Tarleton will travel to Texas A&M-Commerce for its next game on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.