FRISCO, Texas – Despite a 77-57 defeat, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program showed no quit against No. 17 Texas Tech on Saturday at the Comerica Center.
 
The Islanders (1-5), who had just one day to prepare after their previous game against UTRGV on Thursday, made eight of their last nine field goals and ended the game on a 6-0 run. A&M-Corpus Christi shot .536 (15-28) from the field on the second half.
 
Though, the Red Raiders (6-1) only turned it over four times in the game and built leads of 12 points at half and 26 in the second half the leap out in front. The 20-4 turnover margin and 43-33 rebounding advantage allowed Texas Tech to get 20 more shot attempts in the contest.
 
A pair of Islanders recorded season-highs in scoring. Senior Nolan Bertain led the offense with 12 points. He was 3-of-4 from beyond-the-arc. Junior Simeon Fryer aided the attacked with 10 points and logged a career-high 31 minutes.

The Red Raiders were led by Terrence Shannon Jr. who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi trailed 4-3 early after a three by senior Myles Smith. Texas Tech answered with an 10-0 run to jump in front 14-3 at the 10:47 mark. A lay-up by junior Cyrie Coates and a three by Bertain trimmed the deficit to 16-11 with 8:11 remaining.
 
After the Red Raiders got their lead up to 29-13, the Islanders won on a 7-1 spurt, capped by three free throws by Bertain to trail 31-20 with 56 seconds to go. Texas Tech scored on its final possession of the half to led 33-21 at the break.
 
Texas Tech got hot midway through the second half and created separation with a 59-36 edge with 9:12 left. Though, the Islanders never quit and garnered three-pointers in the end by Fryer and sophomore Jordan Hairston to close the game on a run.
 
The Islanders will remain on the road Tuesday when they travel to Texas State for a 7 p.m. tip.
 
NOTES
- It was the first time A&M-Corpus Christi played a ranked opponent since falling to No. 19 St. Mary's 67-46 in 2016-17.
 
- The Islanders entered the game ranked second in the Southland Conference in blocks with 3.8 per game and swatted away four in the contest. Senior Perry Francois rejected three of them.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi outscored Texas Tech 32-24 off the bench.
 
- Bertain's previous season-high was eight points against Texas State on Nov. 28. He notched his sixth career double-figure scoring game.
 
- Fryer tallied his first career double-figure scoring performance. His previous high in scoring was seven points against UTRGV at home.

- Freshman Jalen Myers made his first appearance of the season. He recorded two points, three rebounds and a block.

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