Outlasted in Overtime

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Four Islanders scored in double figures Wednesday night, but a technical foul whistled in overtime turned a two-point game into a seven-point game as UTRGV rode the late momentum to an 82-75 victory on Corpus Christi Athletic Club Court at the American Bank Center in the South Texas Showdown presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union.
 
Joseph Kilgore scored 21 to lead the Islanders (1-2) in the loss. Kilgore was 7-of-15 from the floor and added seven rebounds to his effort. Freshman Myles Smith put up a new high early in his career, scoring 15 while Kareem South added 12 and Sean Rhea 10.
 
The balanced attack gave the Islanders a chance to win, but a 39-point night from Nick Dixon, 21 of which came at the free throw line carried UTRGV (2-1) to the win.
 
After trailing 40-34 at the break, the Islanders rallied in the second half to build a six-point edge of their own with just 3:50 to play. A three with 1:07 to play tied the game and Kilgore's potential game-winner clanged off the iron as time expired.
 
UTRGV jumped out early in OT and held a 75-73 edge with two minutes to play.  That's when the game turned for good as a ball seemingly tipped away from Kilgore bounded into the backcourt and was whistled for a violation. Moments later, a technical foul gave UTRGV two shots and the ball, turning the game into an 80-73 edge.
 
UPSIDE DOWN
 
Corpus Christi outshot UTRGV from the field as the Blue and Green finished the night at .451 to the Vaquero's .404. UTRGV, however, used the charity stripe to overcome the deficit, making 39 trips on the night.
 
Dixon took 23 of those 29 and UTRGV missed just one freebie after the half to hold a nine-point advantage at the line.
 
The Vaqueros also capitalized on 20 Islander turnovers to score 22 points.
 
FRESHMAN MAKING STRIDES
 
There is no question the Islanders are a young squad still growing. Three rookies played more than 10 minutes for the Islanders and accounted for 33 of the Islanders' 75 points on the night.
 
>> All three of those newcomers set new highs in the game.
>> Smith went for 15 points and five boards.
>> Tre Gray went 3-for-3 from the field including a pair of threes for eight points.
>> Sean Rhea knocked home 10 points and grabbed eight boards, both career highs.
 
THE ROAD AHEAD
 
Corpus Christi now faces three straight games on the road. The Islanders' road-swing begins Sunday afternoon against the Georgia Bulldogs in a noon central tip. Fans can listen to the action on the Islanders Digital Network powered by AEP Texas.