Bounced by Bearkats

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – A first half onslaught from Sam Houston State in which the Bearkats shot 67-percent proved too much to overcome for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as the Islanders fell 76-62 Saturday night in Johnson Coliseum.
 
Joseph Kilgore scored 24 to lead all players while Ehab Amin added 19 for the Blue and Green. For Kilgore, it was the junior's best showing since a career-best 31-point outburst at UTRGV in the second game of the season.
 
As hot as the Bearkats were, the Islanders were equally cold. A&M-Corpus Christi shot just 38-percent from the field. Compounding the cold shooting, the Blue and Green left nine points at the free throw line, shooting just 64-percent.
 
"We've just got to make shots," said head coach Willis Wilson. "When you're not making shots and you're playing as hard as we have, it takes a little bit of the wind out of your sails. We had so many good looks and if we make some of those, then this is a totally different game and a totally different team.
 
"We've got to do a better job of making free throws," said Wilson. "Free throws keep you in it when the shots aren't falling, but when you get the looks that we had, we've got to get it done."

The Islanders (9-9, 2-5) fought back in the second half, slicing what grew to a 23-point lead all the way down to 11 with 8:53 to play. The Bearkats were able to recover, however, and held the Blue and Green at arms length down the stretch.

BEARKATS ON FIRE
 
Aurimas Majauskas dropped 14 in the second half to finish the game as the Bearkats' leader with 21 points on the night. John Dewey added 19, 16 of which came in the first half when he hit 6-of-8 shots from the floor.
 
The Bearkats (15-6, 6-2) built a 45-27 lead in the opening 20 minutes as Sam Houston State seemingly could not miss. The Bearkats found bottom on 16-of-24 first-half shots including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
 
WHAT TO KNOW
 
• The 24-point night from Kilgore was his highest output since a 31-point performance at UTRGV on November 16.
• Amin's 19 points mark the 14th consecutive game in double figures for the guard.
• The Islanders have now dropped seven straight road games.
• Amin fell a rebound shy of his second double-double.
• Elijah Schmidt grabbed a career-best eight boards.
• Jake Kocher scored eight points and added a pair of assists and steals.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
 
The Islanders return to action on Wednesday night with a trip to Lamar. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. on the American Sports Network.