Islanders Outlast Huskies

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women squeaked out a one-point win over visiting Houston Baptist this Saturday in the first leg of an Islanders' doubleheader at Corpus Christi Athletic Club Court inside the American Bank Center.  Riding a career-high 11 points from backup point guard LaJaneira Robinson and starting center Uri Jolivette's first career double-double, the Blue and Green finished off a one-point win over the Huskies in what was a closely held contest throughout.

A slow start from the Islanders would cushion HBU to a seven-point lead in the opening five minutes, but Corpus Christi's work at the charity stripe would play to the home team's favor and pull them back within four before the end of the first. The Islanders hit eight-of-eight from the foul line in the opening eight minutes, on the way to causing five turnovers and four steals.

Lala Robinson would play a major part in the Islanders' comeback from the Huskies' 16-12 lead, as the transfer point guard knocked down her first four shots from the field and recorded three steals. With nine points in the first half alone, Robinson remained Corpus Christi's lead scorer after 20 minutes, while teammate Uri Jolivette pulled down an impressive eight rebounds.

"We started the game over, in the beginning of the second half and got to the free-throw line quite a few times and it gave us a little more confidence." said Head Coach Royce Chadwick when asked about his team's adjustments between halves. "It's very difficult to play against a defense with an intensity-value when you can't hit a basket. We were able to stay resilient and continue fighting. We told them after the game that this will carry you a long way in life; when things aren't going good in life, you have to keep on fighting. That's what we did tonight, we kept digging and trying to make plays and nothing went out of the regular direction early."

With a 31-26 lead on hand in the second half, the Islanders would allow HBU to get back in the fight during the second, as the visiting team opened quarter number three on a 7-2 run. It would be Jolivette's turn to put the team on her back in the latter stages of Saturday night's contest however, as the junior hit three-of-four with a pair of 15-footers. Just a week removed from setting a career-high in boards, the Louisiana product matched that high with 10 on the night, while scoring 11 points in her first career double-double.

"I feel like I have to bring the intensity every night…" said Jolivette in her postgame interview. "I think 15-footers are my thing, I take what I get most of the time. I penetrate and kick so shout out to my point guard on getting me the ball tonight."

As has occurred so often this season, it would be the Islanders' defense that persisted down the stretch, and secured the night's win, with the Blue and Green holding the visiting side to a 25.9% shooting average during the third and fourth quarter alone. Ahead by a single point in the final 23 seconds of the contest, Dalesia Booth secured a key steal and a last second block that would force the Huskies to put Corpus Christi at the line.

Despite the Islanders' superior defensive play, Houston Baptist would get one last shot at tying things up in the final three seconds, before a missed free throw from guard Megan Valdez-Crader secured an Islanders' 50-49 victory.

• Jolivette's double-double notched the Islanders' fifth this season by an individual, as the junior fell a single point of tying her career-high in scoring as well
• The Islanders' defense held HBU to 33.3% shooting on the night, the 13th time they've held an opponent to under 40%
• Saturday's game is the second straight contest the Blue and Green has recorded 11 steals against an opponent, they're averaging 10.67 per game over their last three contests
• Freshman forward Giana Wright recorded the first start of her career against HBU, scoring two points, an assist and one rebound
• All nine Corpus Christi players that performed against HBU scored a field goal and grabbed at least one rebound, while eight of those players were responsible for at least one assist
• The Islanders were outrebounded for just the seventh time this season on Saturday (40-39), the first contest they've come out with a win when losing on the boards

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders stay at home next week to faceoff with Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, after going a perfect 2-0 against the Lions the previous season. 

The first 200 fans to come out to the Blue and Green's matchup with SLU inside Dugan Wellness Center can expect to take home a free Islanders travel mug upon entry. Wednesday's game, along with all Corpus Christi home games will be broadcast live via the Islanders Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.

STAY SOCIAL
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