Women's Basketball battles past UTRGV, 59-49

Story Headlines
- Buoyed by a dominant second half and stellar performances from juniors Alexes Bryant and Dae Dae Evans, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women's basketball program plowed past rival UT-Rio Grande Valley in this season's opening bout of the South Texas Showdown, defeating the Vaqueros by a 59-49 mark Monday evening in Edinburg, Texas.
- Head coach Royce Chadwick managed to even his all-time record against UTRGV to 5-5 following the victory and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi improved to 23-11 overall in the series (includes games against UT-Pan American & UT-Brownsville). The South Texas Showdown continues Tuesday, Dec. 4 as the Vaqueros visit the Islanders at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Key Islander Statistics
- Similar to the Islanders' opener against St. Thomas, the fourth quarter proved the major turning point in overall scoring efficiency as the team averaged 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the floor en route to pulling away permanently. 
- On the night, the Blue & Green shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56) on field goals, 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) at the charity stripe, the latter two both major improvements on game one's statistics (25.0 percent, 2-of-8; 63.6 percent, 14-of-22).
- The primary advantages for A&M-Corpus Christi came in the paint, outscoring the Vaqueros by a 28-20 margin.
- Junior college transfer Alexes Bryant stepped into a star role after receiving her second consecutive start, garnering a team-best 15 points along with three rebounds and two blocks.
- Meanwhile, junior Dalesia Booth swatted two balls on the night, vaulting her into a tie for eighth place all-time with Myeisha Myles in career blocks (68).
- After a positive start last week versus St. Thomas, junior Dae Dae Evans showcased tremendous consistency as she ranked second on the squad with nine points.
- Despite not earning a starting role, senior Tasia Foman logged a team-high 33 minutes at point guard, contributing eight points while serving as a major spark off the bench.

Key Islander Sequences
- After jumping out to a commanding 13-4 advantage, UT-Rio Grande Valley surged back over the latter minutes of the first quarter, ending the period with a 15-13 lead following a nine-point run.
- The Islanders shot considerably better in the second quarter (40.0 percent, 6-of-15 vs. 26.7 percent, 4-of-15), draining a trio of three-pointers during the period. Freshman Makinna Serrata made her presence known with time nearly expired and the score tied at 25 apiece, drilling a crucial jumper from beyond the arc to grand A&M-Corpus Christi a three-point lead entering halftime.
- The halftime break proved critical once again as the Islanders entered the third period hitting on all cylinders, securing a lead they wouldn't surrender the remainder of the matchup.
- As previously mentioned, A&M-Corpus Christi put together its best overall quarter in the fourth, stretching the lead out to eight and holding near that margin as the game wound down.

Up Next
- With Monday's bout at UT-Rio Grande Valley wrapped up, the Islanders receive an eight-day break before traveling to their most notable non-conference opponent of the season: Texas Tech. A&M-Corpus Christi and the Lady Raiders square off Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in Lubbock, Texas.

Stay Social
- For more information on Islanders Women's Basketball, keep up with the team via their Facebook page (Islanders Women's Basketball) and follow the program on Twitter (@IslandersWBB) and Instagram (@IslandersWBB). You can watch Islander home games and listen to road broadcasts on the Islander Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.