Islanders Blow Out Bearkats

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi extended its win streak to four straight this Wednesday, taking down the visiting Sam Houston State Bearkats 62-48 inside of Dugan Wellness Center. Sophomore Dalesia Booth recorded a team-high 14 points in the Blue and Green's second victory over SHSU this season, as Corpus Christi registered 21 points in the fourth quarter alone and close the night out with a 62-48 victory. 

Both sides would take some time to warm up at the start of their midweek matchup, combining for just 10 points after the opening five minutes of play. Head Coach Royce Chadwick would get contributions from five different players in the first quarter, as hist side collected five forced turnovers in the starting period. It would be the Bearkats that took the early lead into the break however, using 12 rebounds and a pair of second chance buckets to go out in front 13-11.

Starting guard Dae Dae Evans would erase that lead in the second period, scoring a pair of buckets and a pair of free throws in the closing three and a half minutes of the first half. The sophomore would finish the first 20 minutes of Wednesday's contest with eight points, four rebounds and a trio of steals, on the way to recording a career-high five robberies on the evening. The Blue and Green would hold on to take a 28-24 lead into the halftime break, while holding the SHSU offense to just 31% shooting from the field.

The Islanders defense showed superiority for all 40 minutes of their contest with the Bearkats, forcing SHSU to cough the ball up 18 times throughout the course of the evening and holding the visiting side to 13 points or less in each of their four quarters played. With Sam Houston threatening to diminish the Blue and Green lead, Chadwick's players would hold the Bearkats to just eight field goals in the second half, despite losing the rebounding battle 21-19.

Corpus Christi's defensive play would pay its highest dividends during the final quarter of play, as the Islander shooters came alive for 21 points in the fourth. Brittany Mbamalu scored seven of her 12 points in the last 10 minutes of play, while Dalesia Booth would go a near perfect four for six in the second half. Continuing to attack the basket throughout, a tired Bearkats side would send the Islanders to the line multiple times in the final period, as the Blue and Green would hit all nine of their shots from the charity stripe and closeout a 62-48 win.

• In addition to her 12 points and four rebounds, Dae Dae Evans would finish the night with a career-high five steals
• The Islanders would hold the Bearkats to just 25% shooting on the night, the eighth time this year they've held an opponent to .250 or less
• Knocking down all three of her shots from the charity stripe, Emma Young is on a streak of 23 consecutive made free throws. She hasn't missed from the foul line since December
• Young also recorded a team-best nine rebounds, while leading her squad with four assists
• Corpus Christi tallied 11 steals against SHSU, coming within three of a season-high and hitting the double-digit mark in that category for the seventh time this season
• After becoming the winningest coach in Islander history, head skipper Royce Chadwick earned his 75th win at the helm of the Islander program on Wednesday, and currently has his team on a four-game winning streak

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders annual Homecoming game is scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, where there will be plenty of festivities for family, alumni, and students to enjoy. The women's game vs. New Orleans is at 2 PM at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club Court inside American Bank Center, and will be followed by a block party and tailgate to be held outside the facility. The tailgate will feature food trucks, music, inflatables, and games, leading up to the men's game vs. New Orleans at 7 PM. A few lucky students will have the opportunity to putt a golf ball across the court in the second game of our doubleheader, for a chance to win $10,000 courtesy of Same's Ford of Corpus Christi! Make sure to take part in all of the Homecoming festivities!

This Saturday's game against New Orleans will be the Islanders second contest to be broadcast on ESPN3 this year. The Blue and Green's approaching homecoming contest, along with all Corpus Christi games, can be followed live via the Islanders Digital Network, powered by AEP Texas.

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