Hoops Opens Regular Season Friday Night

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the third consecutive season, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi opens the regular season with a matchup against Our Lady of the Lake on Friday, November 11 at 7 p.m. in the American Bank Center.
 
The Islanders will step on Stripes Court in search of their fifth consecutive season-opening victory under head coach Willis Wilson. A&M-Corpus Christi enters Friday night's contest after a 31-point win over Concordia (Tx.) last Saturday in an exhibition matchup. Rashawn Thomas led the Islanders with a 32-point, 17-rebound effort in just 23 minutes of action.
 
THE SERIES
 
A&M-Corpus Christi and Our Lady of the Lake have met just twice all-time. The Islanders have defeated the Saints in the season opener in each of the past two seasons.
 
In 2014, the Islanders defeated Our Lady of the Lake 73-58 before besting the Saints by a 94-72 final last season.
 
HONORING OUR MILITARY
 
With Veterans Day recognized on Friday as well, the Islanders are honored to invite active duty or retired military to receive up to four (4) complimentary tickets with a valid military ID. Tickets can be requested by calling (361) 825-BALL (2255). All tickets will be located in the reserved seating sections of the American Bank Center.
 
FOOD DRIVE FRIDAY
 
The general public can receive half-priced reserved admission to Friday's game by bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Corpus Christi.
 
EXHIBITION EXCELLENCE
 
• The Islanders fired on all cylinders Saturday, shooting over 52-percent from the floor in the 106-75 win over Concordia.
• The 106 points marked the first time the Islanders have hit triple digits since a January 2014 matchup against Northwestern State.
• Senior Rashawn Thomas piled up a first half double-double and finished with 32 points and 17 rebounds. He played just 23 minutes.
• Three other Islanders put up double figures as Ehab Amin posted 16 points, Cole Martinez 12 and Jake Kocher 10.
• Defensively, the Islanders held Concordia to just 37-percent from the floor and out rebounded the Tornados 50-27.
 
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
 
Our Lady of the Lake produced one of its most successful seasons in 2015-16, going 22-9 and making a run to the NAIA Elite Eight. The Saints are in their fourth year under Ryan Wall and have won 20 or more games in each of the past three years.
 
• Senior Joe Jackson returns to lead the Saints after averaging 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest last season. The forward scored 17 in the exhibition against Rice.
• The Saints also return third-leading scorer Darion Brown who averaged 9.1 points last season.
• Guard Dilepso Blanco came off the bench to score 13 against the Owls.
 
STAY SOCIAL

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