UTRGV Uses Big Fourth Quarter to Grab One from Islanders

EDINBURG, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball program was in control for three quarters, but UTRGV finished with a strong fourth to pull-out a 58-51 decision Wednesday at Bert Ogden Arena.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi (0-4) led by 11 in the third quarter and 42-34 heading into the fourth, but UTRGV (2-1) opened the final quarter on a 9-0 spurt to take the lead and the Islanders couldn't get back in front in the final six minutes.
 
The Vaqueros, who were coming off a 60-50 win over UTSA on Monday, outscored the Islanders 24-9 in the fourth quarter.
 
Sophomore Alecia Westbrook neared another double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. She was 4-of-6 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
 
A big outing came from senior Giana Wright who registered a career-high 12 points to go along with four rebounds. She was 6-of-11 from the field.
 
Freshman Paige Allen also reached double-figures with 11 points. Junior Torrionna Nesbitt matched a career-high five rebounds and tallied a career-high four steals.
 
UTRGV was led by Tiffany McGarity who scored a game-high 25 points.
 
The Islanders started ahead 5-0 after a mid-range jumper from Wright and a three-pointer from the right corner by Allen. A put-back by Wright made it 8-2 at the 6:41 mark. Though, the Vaqueros ended the half on a 6-0 run after back-to-back threes to lead 12-11 heading into the second.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi regained a 17-16 edge with 6:04 remaining in the half after a bucket in the post by Wright. A lay-up in transition by Westbrook made it 23-20 Islanders with 1:26 to go. The Islanders carried a 23-21 advantage at the intermission.
 
The third quarter began with back-to-back baskets by Wright to put her in double-figures and give the Islanders a 27-21 lead with 8:58 left. A pair of free throws by Westbrook pushed it up to 29-21 with 6:18 remaining.
 
A lay-up by freshman Jade Thompson made it a 38-27 game with 2:49 to go. UTRGV went on a small run near the end of the quarter, but a lay-up by Allen in the closing seconds kept the Islanders ahead 42-34.
 
The Vaqueros opened the fourth on a 7-0 run, and the Islanders called timeout leading 42-41 at the 8:09 mark.
 
After the timeout, UTRGV scored another basket to go in front 43-42 with 7:17 left. The Vaqueros were able to force turnovers with a full court press and A&M-Corpus Christi called another timeout down 48-44 with 5:29 remaining. UTRGV extended it to seven in the final minute.
 
Wednesday concluded a three-game road swing for the Islanders. They'll return home Saturday when they host St. Edward's at 2 p.m. at the Dugan Wellness Center.
 
NOTES
- The game was the first installment of the 2020-21 South Texas Showdown. Presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union, the showdown is an annual competition between A&M-Corpus Christi and UTRGV where they compete against each other in 12 sports. As an institution, the Islanders lead the series 3-1.
 
- In women's basketball, A&M-Corpus Christi is now 23-13 against the Vaqueros in the all-time series. The Islanders swept the season-series last year, winning 61-50 at home and 59-54 on the road.
 
- Westbrook nearly etched her second straight double-double, but will increase her season averages of 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds that she entered the game with. Westbrook, who was tabbed Honorable Mention for SLC Player of the Week on Monday, has scored in double-figures in all four games this season and nine times in her career.
 
- With her first career double-digit scoring game, Wright topped her previous career-high of nine points set against Texas Wesleyan on Dec. 7, 2019. Her six made field goals also marked a career-best.
 
- Allen has now scored in double-figures in three of four games this year.
 
- Nesbitt's five assists matched a career-high set at UL-Lafayette on Nov. 30, 2018. Her four steals doubled her career-best, set four times previously.
 
- The Islanders outscored the Vaqueros 30-18 in points in the paint.
 
Stay Social
- 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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