UTRGV Nips A&M-Corpus Christi for Second Time

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Another closely contested game just didn't end in favor of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program as UTRGV finished on top 68-64 Thursday at the American Bank Center.
 
The game was part of the annual South Texas Showdown, an all-sports competition between A&M-Corpus Christi and UTRGV. As an institution, the Islanders lead the series 3-1. The showdown is presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union.
 
A&M-Corpus Christ (1-4) had its chances but surrendered offensive rebounds in key moments when it needed possessions. UTRGV (4-2) pulled down 16 offensive rebounds, which resulted in 18 more field goal attempts. The Islanders were also hurt by 24 turnovers.
 
Senior Perry Francois netted a career-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. He was a stellar 8-for-10 from the floor.
 
Fellow senior Myles Smith registered 10 points and our assists. Sophomore Jalen White tallied eight points and nine rebounds.
 
The Vaqueros were led by Quinton Johnson II who finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. LaQuan Butler scored 17 points off the bench. UTRGV shot 16-for-19 (.842) from the free throw line.
 
It was back-and-forth for most of the way. The Islanders started ahead 10-4 after junior Simeon Fryer buried a three at the 16:18 mark. A&M-Corpus Christi was still ahead 16-9 after a put-back dunk by Francois with 14:07 left.
 
Another dunk by Francois gave the Islanders their largest lead of the game 25-13 with 10:48 to go.
 
UTRGV got back in it with a 7-0 run to chip into the deficit 25-20. The Vaqueros then used an 8-0 spurt to take the lead 28-27 with 5:05 remaining. They led 35-34 at the intermission.
 
Midway through the second half, UTRGV pushed its lead up to 57-47. The Islanders got back in it with a 6-0 run, which included free throws from junior Kerry Richardson and senior Nolan Bertain to trail 57-53 with 7:55 remaining.
 
The Islanders continued to chip into the deficit and were down 63-60 after a dunk by Francois at the 2:49 mark. A jumper by Fryer had them down just 63-62 with 1:17 remaining. Though, on the ensuing defensive possession, A&M-Corpus Christi gave up a pair of offensive rebounds and the Vaqueros were able to capitalize with a bucket with 20 seconds left.
 
The Islanders trailed by three with 13 seconds left when a bad pass resulted in a turnover and the team was forced to foul with three seconds remaining. UTRGV made one of two free throws to make it a two possession game in the final seconds.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi will be back on the road Saturday when it travels to Texas Tech for a 1 p.m. tip. The Islanders will go for their first win over a Power Five institution since 2009-10 when they beat Oregon State 67-43.
 
NOTES
- The Islanders are now 199-95 all-time at home and 133-68 in the American Bank Center.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi dropped to 14-11 all-time against UTRGV and 7-6 at home. The Islanders swept the season-series over the Vaqueros last season.
 
- The Islanders entered the game ranked second in the Southland Conference in free throw percentage (.741) and will increase their mark with a 20-for-26 (.769) clip on the night.
 
- Francois upped his career-high from 15 points, set last game at UTRGV. His eight made field goals were also a career-high. Fancois notched his eighth career double-figure scoring game and third this year. He leads the team in scoring with 11.0 points per game.
 
- Francois played a large part in A&M-Corpus Christi outscoring UTRGV 28-20 in points in the paint.
 
- Smith submitted his 40th career double-digit scoring performance and second this year. He's up to 804 career points in four years.
 
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