Southland Opening Setback

CONWAY, Ark. – For a second straight year, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi managed to contain Central Arkansas scorer Jordan Howard, but Thatch Unruh went off for a career-high 20 to lift UCA over the Islanders 81-69 Thursday afternoon in the Farris Center.
 
Joseph Kilgore scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Islanders (3-8, 0-1 SLC) and freshman Sean Rhea added another 16. The 16 points for Rhea mark a career high for the forward, besting his previous high of 10. Perry Francois chipped in 10 to score in double digits for the third straight game and give the Blue and Green a trio of double-figure scorers.
 
For Central Arkansas (7-7, 1-0 SLC), Unruh scored 12 of his 20 in the second half to help the Bears maintain their advantage. Howard, who averages 25 per game, scored 18 and Matheiu Kamba added another 13.
 
A 12-3 run to end the first half proved the difference heading into the break as UCA extended a 41-31 edge. Kilgore finished the half 4-of-7 from the floor with 13 points, but was matched by UCA's Jordan Howard with 13.
 
The big run was sparked by Thatch Unruh and Darraja Parnell who each scored four points in the final 3:45 of the first.  Unruh continued on his scoring tear in the second, piling up a dozen in the back 20. Unruh's career high came on 6-of-11 shooting and 6-of-7 at the line.
 
As the second half unfolded, the late first-half run ended up the decisive run in the game. The Islanders used an 11-4 run early in the second to cut the deficit to five at 49-44, but UCA would again have the answer.
 
Trailing by eight with 14:07 to play, the Islanders had a pair of chances after stops on the defensive end, but could not capitalize. The missed opportunity would prove costly as that would be as close as the Blue and Green came down the stretch.
 
FRANCOIS FINDING GROOVE
 
The sophomore forward scored in double digits for a third consecutive game and set yet another career best. After two consecutive games of putting up a personal best in points, Francois crashed the glass to a team-leading and career-high eight rebounds Thursday.
 
KILGORE PROVIDING POINTS
 
For the 11th time in 11 games this season, the senior guard reached double figures with 23 points in the loss. Kilgore went 6-of-10 from the field and added eight points at the free throw line for his 23. The veteran was also 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, including a 4-point play in the second half.
 
$1 TICKETS
 
The Islanders now return home to Corpus Christi Athletic Club Court at the American Bank Center on Saturday against Lamar. Tickets to the game are just $1 while a limited availability (1,000) last.
 
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the women who play at 5 p.m.