Story Headlines
- After holding a double-digit edge for a majority of the hard-fought matchup, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi women's basketball program (3-2, 0-0 Southland) watched as Louisiana-Lafayette (2-4, 0-0 Sun Belt) chipped that advantage away over the course of the final four minutes, ultimately surrendering a three-point lead with 52 seconds remaining (60-63) in regulation. During the final sequence of plays, though, junior
Tiara Matthews proceeded to knock down back-to-back field goals -- including the eventual game-winning jumper with 14 seconds left -- to secure a dramatic 64-63 victory over the Ragin' Cajuns in the UTRGV Tournament opener Friday evening in Edinburg, Texas.
- Freshman
Makinna Serrata drained a jumper with just seven seconds remaining in the first quarter, pushing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to a lead the team wouldn't surrender until the final minute. The margin reached as large as 14 points in favor of the Islanders on multiple occasions and remained in double digits until the Ragin' Cajuns hit a three-pointer with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter.
Key Islander Statistics
- Buoyed by excellent performances in the second and fourth quarters, A&M-Corpus Christi finished the evening shooting 50 percent (29-of-58) from the field, 50 percent (1-of-2) beyond the arc and a season-best 83.3 percent (5-of-6) at the charity stripe.
- A brilliant second period saw the Islanders knock down 60 percent (9-of-15) of their attempts, increasing their two-point advantage entering the quarter to 12 by the end of the first half.
- Individually, Matthews led the way behind her career-high 18 points and seven rebounds -- both team-bests on the day -- powering A&M-Corpus Christi in the paint. Fellow junior
Alexes Bryant also held her own down low, notching nine points with four rebounds and one block.
- Out on the perimeter, junior
Dalesia Booth continued her strong season, picking up 10 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, true freshman
Torrionna Nesbitt made the best of her first major chunk of playing time (team-high 32 minutes), dishing out five assists to go along with her 11 points.
Up Next
- With Louisiana-Lafayette wrapped up, the Islanders shift their focus to Saturday afternoon's game against Prairie View A&M, facing the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. in both squad's second bout in the UTRGV Tournament.
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.
