CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A career-high 23 points in
Dalesia Booth's homecoming game was not enough for the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball team top the University of Incarnate Word on Wednesday night, as the Blue and Green fell, 63-56, on the road.
The San Antonio native was 11-of-18 from the floor with eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals to lead the Blue and Green.
The Islanders (9-15, 5-8) tallied just one 3-pointer to the Cardinals' (7-18, 5-9) nine on the evening, while shooting 35.9-percent. On the defensive end, the UIW was 42.9-percent from the floor .
"We have to play better defensively," head coach
Royce Chadwick said. "Our transition defense was suspect. We got a lot of offensive rebounds, but we were not able to get them back into the basket. I thought we had some good looks for our shooters, but we couldn't convert on those.
"Put all three of those things together, and you're going to have a tough time winning a game. I thought our scout was spot on, but we didn't execute it. We need to do better when we face Lamar on Saturday."
Celia Garcia Paunero knocked down four shots from the perimeter for UIW en route to a double-double with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Cardinals.
A&M-Corpus Christi climbed back from a halftime deficit with 22 points in the third period. Despite taking the lead with eight minutes to play in the fourth, the Islanders could not hold off the late charge by the Cardinals. The hosts sealed the win with a 13-5 run, including a pair of 3-pointers and forced five turnovers.
The Islanders outrebounded UIW 43-33, which included 21 offensive rebounds that turned into 20 second-chance points.
QUICK HITS
>>
Brittany Mbamalu's 3-pointer in the first half was the first make from the perimeter for the Blue and Green in nine quarters.
>>
Kassie Jones,
Camesha Davis and
Emma Young added eight points, while
Uri Jolivette pulled down eight rebounds with six on the offensive end. Jones also chipped in four assists.
>> The Islanders committed just 14 fouls, their third lowest total this season.
CARDINAL CHANCES
>> UIW had three players in double figures, including Haley Frias with 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the perimeter.
>> The Cardinals assisted on half of their made baskets on the night, as all seven players recorded up a helper.
HOMECOMING SATURDAY
The Islanders return to the Coastal Bend to play four of their remaining five games in the regular season, which starts Saturday against Lamar. Tip is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN3 with a tailgate concert leading into the men's game.
STAY SOCIAL
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- Go Islanders -
