Islanders Fall Despite Fast Start at Wichita State

WICHITA, Kan. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball program came out of the gates hot, but Wichita State used a big run at the end of the first half to ultimately grab a 78-58 decision Friday at Charles Koch Arena.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi (0-2) built a 13-4 lead at the 4:34 mark, which included seven points from sophomore Alecia Westbrook. The Shockers (1-0) ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run, but the Islanders still led 13-12 going into the second.
 
The Islanders were still ahead 25-24 with 3:35 remaining in of the second quarter when the Shockers went on a big 12-1 run to end the half. Wichita State kept the momentum going early in the third to create separation.
 
Westbrook registered a career-high 17 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. She was 5-for-7 from the floor including 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
 
Freshman Paige Allen upped her career-best to 13 points and nailed a pair of three-pointers. She also grabbed seven steals and secured six rebounds. Sophomore Olivia Dowden came off the bench to drill a trio of long-range shots for nine points.
 
Wichita State was led by Asia Strong's 20 points and six rebounds. Carla Bremaud played 36 minutes and scored 15 points.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi's hot start come after the Shockers struck first with a three-pointer. The Islanders responded with a 13-1 run, which included field goals from Westbrook, Allen, senior Giana Wright and freshman Mireia Aguado.
 
A three-pointer by Dowden had the Islanders in front 24-22 with 4:15 to go in the second quarter. The team's final lead came with 3:35 left after Allen hit a free throw to make it a 25-24 game.
 
After Wichita State ended the half on its 12-1 run, it extended it to 40-28 early in the third. The Islanders fought back and got the deficit down to 42-37 after another three by Dowden with 6:02 left. Though, the Shockers responded with an 11-0 spurt to catapult ahead 53-37 with 3:19 remaining.
 
The fourth quarter was highlighted by seven points from Westbrook, but A&M-Corpus Christi couldn't get the momentum back to make a late comeback.
 
The Islanders are in the midst of a three-game road trip. They'll travel to Kansas for a 2 p.m. game Sunday, followed by a match at UT-Rio Grande Valley at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
 
NOTES
- It was the first-ever meeting between A&M-Corpus Christi and Wichita State.
 
- Westbrook has tallied career-highs in back-to-back games. It started with 16 points Wednesday against Texas A&M-International. Today, she shot .714 from the floor and is now 11-of-17 (.647) through to games. It came after she submitted a team-high .520 from the field list year, which ranks top-five in program history. Westbrook is up to seven career double-figure scoring games.
 
- Allen has reached double-figures in back-to-back games to begin her collegiate career. Her 13 points topped the 12 she totaled against the Dustdevils. Allen is averaging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 steals through two matches.
 
- With seven steals, Allen came one short of matching the school's single-game record of eight, set twice.
 
- The Islanders outrebounded the Shockers 35-30 and outscored them 13-6 in second chance points.
 
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- Keep up with the women's basketball program via its Facebook page (Islanders Women's Basketball) and follow the program on Twitter (@Islanders_WBB) and Instagram (@IslandersWBB).
 
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