Vaqueros' Shooting Shutdown In Showdown

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - After falling by a single possession to UTRGV in Edinburg earlier this season, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi dealt out proper payback in a 71-41 rout of the Vaqueros inside of Dugan Wellness Center this Wednesday. In a contest that saw two Islanders set career-highs in points, the first half was highlighted by some terrific post play from junior Uri Jolivette, followed by some hot shooting from Brittany Mbamalu and Emma Young in the second. 

After allowing the Vaqueros to jump out to a six-point lead in the opening three minutes, the Islanders would recompose themselves to go on a 13 point-run, thanks in part to some superior play down low. Starting center Uri Jolivette was unmatched by the Vaqueros post players in the opening 20 minutes, setting a career-high of 12 points in the first half alone. While physically moving larger players inside of the paint, Jolivette managed to stretch the floor with a pair of midrange jumpers to go five-for-five in the first 20 minutes, on the way to pulling down a team-high four rebounds.

Corpus Christi's retake of the lead at the end of the first quarter was one of only three lead changes for the remainder of the night, as the hosting side continued to pour it on for the proceeding three quarters. Senior guard Brittany Mbamalu would continue her streak of three-pointers during the second quarter, hitting her 25th of the year, and gaining her sixth consecutive appearance with a bucket from range. As the visiting Vaqueros finished off the first half on a short run, the Islanders would take just a two-point lead into the break at 27-25 while outshooting UTRGV 42.3% to 40.9%.

As good as the Blue and Green's conversion rate was in the first half it was increasingly insuppressible in the latter 20 minutes. After tying a career-high of 17 points in her last game inside of Dugan, sophomore Emma Young would hit on six of her seven shots in the second half with a perfect two-for-two from behind the arc. Young and Mbamalu would each single-handedly outscore the Vaqueros during the third quarter, as the two dropped seven and eight respectively in comparison to the five points scored by the UTRGV shooters. 

Nailing 72% of their attempts in the second half, the Islanders outscored their opponents 44-16 in the final 20 minutes on the way to converting four shots from beyond the arc. Taking a 16-point lead into the final stanza, the Blue and Green would coast to the finish, while keeping the Vaqueros to just 11 over the last 10 minutes. Young finished her night with a game-high, and career-best, 21 points as she Mbamalu (14) and Jolivette (12) outscored the entire UTRGV staff on the evening.

When asked about his team's performance on the defensive side of the ball, Head Coach Royce Chadwick had nothing but glowing review for his side. "Well, we knew we couldn't give up second-chance points. We knew we had to keep them off the boards." he continued "...I thought our players did a real good job of taking the scout to the floor and taking it off the paper and onto the wood."

With the night finishing 71-41 in favor of the hosting Islanders, Corpus Christi evens its season series against the Vaqueros at one apiece in this year's rendition of the South Texas Showdown, presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union. While putting an end to UTRGV's three-game winning streak, the Islanders increased their own run to three consecutive victories. If the Blue and Green can put up wins against Texas A&M International and Rice over the coming weeks the team will tie its longest win streak of last year, and sit one away from their longest in the past three seasons.

• Mbamalu's statline ended with 14 points, six boards and an assist, her sixth double-digit performance on the year
• All 21 points of Emma Young's career night were made from the floor, missing her lone free throw of the night
• Young's three three-pointers were a career-best as well, with her top previous mark sitting at two
• Uri Jolivette finished her night with 12 points and six rebounds, one short of the team-high seven boards pulled down by Young
• Overshadowed by her teammate's performances, sophomore Tiara Matthews quietly posted eight points on the night, going a perfect four-for-four from the floor
• The Islanders' 56.9% shooting average is the best they have had all year, while their 72.0% in the second half is the best they have had in a single half in program history

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders continue this home stand with a matchup against Texas A&M International the coming Tuesday. Corpus Christi has competed against the Dust Devils for the previous five years, but will play the squad on their regular season schedule for the first time since 2014.