Box Score THIBODAUX, La. - Four Islanders scored in double-figures as the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
women's basketball team knocked off Nicholls, 75-59, at Stopher Gym Saturday afternoon.
Leading the charge for the Islanders (7-9, 3-2 SLC) was senior Olivia Fouty, who scored a game-high 20 points on her way to a new career-high. The Toledo, Ohio native also grabbed seven rebounds in the win. Junior Shay Weaver added 16 points and three assists while Kassie Jones put in 15 points and a team-high four assists. Sophomore Camesha Davis recorded her fourth double-double of the year with a 12 point and 11 rebound performance.
The Islanders shot 53.7 percent from the field over the course of the game and were able to capitalize on the Colonels full-court press, making quick passes on their way to 14 fast-break points in the game. AMCC was able to use its size advantage throughout the game, scoring 40 of its 75 points in the paint, while also turning their 13 offensive boards into 11 points.
"They are a team that will take a lot of chances going for steals and trying to trap you. If you're strong and you can read the defense, you'll have some opportunities to get to the basket," said head coach Royce Chadwick. "I didn't think we did a good job of that in the first half, but we were a bit stronger and able to attack them in the second half."
When the Islanders needed it most, the team delivered from behind the arc. AMCC shot 42.9 percent (6-14) in the game, with C. Davis, Weaver and Fouty hitting two apiece.
Marina Lilly led the way for Nicholls (7-9, 3-2 SLC) with 12 points, while Ekiya Gray added 11 points.
Although the box scored showed five ties and four lead changes in the opening frame, it was a different story on the court. The Islanders and Colonels each combined for three runs of seven points or more, which dominated the first half.
After Jennifer Ramirez scored off the opening tip, Nicholls reeled off seven-straight points to take an early 7-2 lead. The Islanders didn't stray from what has kept them in games this year though, connecting on 3-pointers in consecutive possessions; one by C. Davis and another by the team's leading outside marksman, Weaver.
The Colonels' capitalized off the Islanders' errant passes, turning the miscues into a 10-0 run to lead 22-12 before freshman Ashley James entered the game and drew free throws, breaking NSU run.
That was when the Islanders defense turned up the intensity and started clicking on all cylinders during a 12-0 run of their own. James' defensive presence was felt throughout the run, as she suffocated the Colonels' guards, energizing the Islanders in the process. Weaver and C. Davis each scored four points in the stretch, with four of the five buckets coming off assists.
"Ashley James is a tremendous defender," Chadwick noted. "She changes things with her ball pressure and she did a really good job of playing up-tempo on the offensive end and getting us up the floor in a quicker fashion -- I thought when she was in the game, our defense picked up because they see her playing great defense, and it elevated everyone else."
The Islanders held the Colonels to 28.6 percent from the floor in the first half, even though NSU took 11 more shots thanks to their ability to create turnovers. The Islanders shot 50 percent in the half (12-24), scoring 18 of their 28 in the paint. A&M-Corpus Christi took a 28-24 lead headed into the locker room.
A&M-Corpus Christi returns to the road Jan. 22 when they head to Southeast Louisiana, then to New Orleans on Jan. 24.
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