CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the second straight game, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball program carried an eight-point lead into the final quarter, but UTRGV again was able to come back to snatch a 73-68 decision Tuesday at the Dugan Wellness 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.
The Islanders (0-5) led 63-52 with 5:14 remaining when the Vaqueros (3-2) went on a big 12-0 run to grab a 64-63 lead with 2:24 left. Down the stretch, UTRGV was able to force turnovers and make free throws to hang on.
Sophomore
Alecia Westbrook registered a double-double with career-highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds. She was 8-of-11 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
Freshman
Jade Thompson also turned in a career night with 18 points and six rebounds in just 14 minutes. She was 7-of-11 from the field.
Also in double-figures was freshman
Paige Allen with 10 points and four steals. Her four steals were right on par with her league-leading 4.0 steals per game.
UTRGV was propelled by Amara Graham who scored 25 points and was 9-for-9 from the free throw line. As a team, the Vaqueros shot .500 from the field including a .563 mark in the fourth quarter. UTRGV was 6-of-15 from three-point range on the night and 4-of-7 in the fourth.
After starting behind 6-0, the Islanders went on an 8-0 run in the first quarter to jump ahead 11-9 after a fast-break lay-up by Westbrook. The score was even 11-11 at the end of the first after Graham hit two free throws in the final minute for the Vaqueros.
A&M-Corpus Christi recorded a big second quarter where it outscored UTRGV 24-16. The Islanders led 24-22 when Allen, junior
Torrionna Nesbitt, freshman
Mireia Aguado and Thompson all hit field goals to boost the advantage up to 35-24. Jena Williams hit a three-point buzzer beater for the Vaqueros, but A&M-Corpus Christi still led 37-29 at the break.
A relatively even third quarter featured an old-fashion three-point play by Westbrook to keep the Islanders ahead 45-37 at the 5:56 mark. A three-pointer by sophomore
Hayle Campbell made it a 51-42 game with 3:13 to go. A&M-Corpus Christi carried a 54-46 edge heading into the fourth.
It was nearly deja vu for the Islanders in the fourth quarter as the Vaqueros hit back-to-back threes to quickly trim the deficit to 54-52 with 7:30 to go. Though, the Islanders punched back and used a pair of jumpers from Thompson and a fast-break lay-up by Allen to stay in front 63-52 with 5:14 remaining.
However, UTRGV took advantage of turnovers and turned them into lay-ups to get back in it. The Islanders called two timeouts in a two-minute span, but the Vaqueros kept their foot on the pedal and managed to take the lead 64-63 with 2:24 left.
The Islanders temporarily regained the lead 65-64 on a lay-up by Allen, but UTRGV responded with a lay-up and a three-pointer to go up 69-65 with 53 seconds left.
Senior
Giana Wright made a free throw, and Aguado registered a steal and a basket to get it back down to 69-68 with 24 seconds remaining. Though, after a foul and two made free throws, the Vaqueros were able to grab a steal to seal it.
The Islanders will remain at home Sunday when they host Concordia (Texas) at 2 p.m. at the Dugan Wellness Center. It will be the second of a four-game homestand.
NOTES
- A&M-Corpus Christi is now 23-14 all-time against the Vaqueros and 13-6 at home.
- The Islanders dropped to 197-140 all-time at home and 43-25 in the Dugan Wellness Center.
- In two games against UTRGV this year, Westbrook averaged 17.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She upped her previous career-highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds. It was her 10th career double-figure scoring game and third career double-double. Westbrook has scored in double-figures in all five games this season.
- Thompson's previous career-high was 10 points against Texas A&M-International in the season opener. Her six rebounds also topped her previous best of four against TAMIU.
- Allen totaled her fourth double-digit scoring performance in five games this year. She continues to lead the SLC in steals after grabbing four tonight.
- A&M-Corpus Christi outscored UTRGV in all five specialty stats, including 48-36 in the paint, 12-4 in second chance points, 22-8 in fast breaks, 22-15 in points in turnovers and 29-12 in bench points.
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).
#ShakasUp
