Second Half Surge Falls Short In Showdown

EDINBURG, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's winning streak ended in Edinburg this Tuesday, as the Islanders dropped a 56-53 decision to South Texas Showdown rivals UTRGV.

The Blue and Green traded shots with the Vaqueros during the first quarter, with the former taking as large as an eight point lead. The hosting squad would claw its way back with a 9-1 run in the last four minutes of the period however, to make sure both teams would remain knotted at 13 come the end of the opening frame. In her first start of the year, Tiara Matthews scored five points with three rebounds in the first quarter, finishing the evening with five and six over 20 minutes played. 

Program record-holder Brittany Mbamalu continued to add to her career three-point numbers with a pair of treys in the first, but would remain quiet during the second quarter as the Islanders converted just two field goals in the period. Corpus Christi would be forced to take a deficit into the half for the first time this season, down 30-19 on the Vaqueros' home court.

Coach Chadwick's side refused to turn in however as the Islanders dropped a cool 18 out of the break to get within five of hosting UTRGV. Mbamalu would record all 18 of those third quarter points, registering an impressive six three-pointers over those 10 minutes. The redshirt-senior set two personal records with eight three-pointers and 26 points in the contest, and had a streak of four three-pointers made over four consecutive trips down the floor for the Islanders. 

The fourth would remain tight throughout, as the Islanders continuously came within striking distance of taking back the lead. Just three days off collecting the first double-double of her career against McMurry, Emma Young poured in 12 points during the fourth quarter to finish the night with 16, and nine boards. The sophomore would pull her team within a single point after nailing a three-pointer with 2:34 remaining, but the Vaqueros would respond in kind to take back their four-point lead. 

The night would end in the hands of the Islanders, after sophomore guard Dalesia Booth stole the UTRGV in bounds with just 15 seconds left. Corpus Christi would be unable to score on the final possession of the game however, and was forced to taste defeat for the first time this season, by a count of 56-53.

• Booth finished the night with six points and seven rebounds, while her two steals give her a team-high of nine on the year
• Mbamalu's 26 points are a new personal high as the senior broke 20 points for the second time this year and the ninth time in her career
• Mbamalu and Young went a combined 10-for-17 from distance (.824) on Tuesday
• Guard Dae Dae Evans tied a career-high with four assists on the evening
• Senior guard Brianna Jackson saw time for the first game this season, playing six minutes off the bench

Head Coach Royce Chadwick on his players' performance and heading into the rest of this long road trip:
I'm very proud of the resilience of our team. I thought our sophomores 'grew up' a little bit down the stretch, and we just need to execute a little bit better. If we can do a better job defensively of helping each other out, I think we have a chance to improve our basketball team.

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders head west for a pair of contests against UTEP and New Mexico State. The action starts with a Saturday contest in El Paso starting at 7 PM, as the Blue and Green matchup with the Miners for the first time in a decade.

STAY SOCIAL
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