Eyeing End to Skid, Islanders Return Home Saturday

Game #14: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-6, 0-2) vs. Northwestern St. (6-7, 0-2)
Date: Saturday, January 7
Location: American Bank Center • 7 p.m.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Islanders of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi return home to Stripes Court at the American Bank Center looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
 
Off to an 0-2 start in Southland Conference play for the first time in four years, the Islanders lost a pair of tight games in Louisiana last week. The Blue and Green fell 73-72 in overtime at New Orleans before suffering a 68-64 setback at Nicholls.
 
The return home hopefully signals a change of fortunes as the Islanders are a perfect 5-0 at home this season and have won 19-of-20 dating home contests dating back to the start of 2015-16.
 
INCHES AWAY
 
• For the first time since 2012-13, the Islanders start Southland Conference play 0-2 after tight losses  to New Orleans and Nicholls.
• The Islanders rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit at New Orleans to force overtime, but saw the potential game-winning clang off the front iron as time expired.
• At Nicholls, the Islanders cut an 11-point deficit to 3 with two minutes to play, but could not connect on three consecutive trips down the court.
• The current four-game losing streak is the longest for the Blue and Green since Nov. 29-Dec. 17, 2014. 

AMIN'S ASTOUNDING RUN
 
• Ehab Amin hit a career-high 12 shots from the floor at Nicholls, scoring 20+ for the third consecutive game.
• The guard now has three-straight games with 10 or more baskets.
• It's the fourth time Amin has finished with double-digit buckets.
• Amin is 1-of-20 players in the nation with 4 or more games with 10-plus field goals.
• He's only the second Islander to record multiple games with 10+ baskets in a season since 2010. Rashawn Thomas had seven for the Blue and Green last season.
 
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN STATE
 
• The Demons ride into the Coastal Bend off to an 0-2 start in Southland action as well and are without the services of leading scorer and senior Zeek Woodley.
• Woodley suffered a broken wrist in the Dec. 19 contest at Rice and underwent surgery Dec. 23. He was averaging 17.6 points and is the only Demon in double-figures this season.
• Devonte Hall led the way for NSU at Incarnate Word Thursday night, scoring 23 points all in the last 9:33.
• Sophomore forward Malik Metoyer is also out for the Demons after a season-ending knee injury.