A&M-Corpus Christi Drops Conference Opener at SLU

HAMMOND, La. – Senior Nolan Bertain poured in a career-high 20 points, but the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program fell to Southeastern Louisiana 76-63 Wednesday at the University Center.
 
Bertain was 7-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-11 from three-point range to lead A&M-Corpus Christi (3-7, 0-1 SLC). Four of his five three-pointers came in the second half.
 
Though, free throw shooting played a large part of the contest. SLU (3-9, 1-2 SLC) converted on 23-of-26 (.885) attempts, while the Islanders were 10-for-19 (.526). The Lions entered the game shooting .606 from the charity stripe as a team.
 
"This game was decided from the free throw line tonight. SLU shot 26 free throws and only missed three, and that was the big separator right there. In the first half alone, we were 1-for-3 and they are 8-for-9. That margin only got wider in the second half. Some of it was the fouling, some of it was our anxiousness, but overall, we have to play better – and we will," said head coach Willis Wilson. "This was our first game back in 22 days and we got some new guys back in the fold. It's good to have De'Lazarus back on the floor and he gave good production."
 
SLU's Keon Clergeot scored a game-high 26 points and was 14-of-15 from the free throw line.
 
For the Islanders, seniors Perry Francois and Myles Smith tallied 11 points apiece. Junior De'Lazarus Keys made his first appearance of the season and finished with six points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi opened the game with a three-pointer by senior Peyton Smith on their first possession. A lay-up by Peyton Smith kept them up 7-5 at the 14:37 mark.
 
Freshman Jalen Myers made a three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give the Islanders a 17-16 edge with 7:30 remaining. A long-range shot by Bertain extended it to 24-20 with 4:19 to go.
 
The Lions answered with a big 10-0 run to leap in front 30-24 with 2:34 left. An old-fashion three-point play by sophomore Jalen White ended the spurt, but A&M-Corpus Christi trailed 33-29 at the half.
 
SLU came out hot early in the second half and built a 50-37 lead after the first five minutes.
 
The Islanders were still down by 13 when Bertain found the hot hand and hit his fourth three-pointer to make it a 64-54 game with 7:20 remaining. Another three by Bertain cut it to 66-59 as the Islanders called timeout at the 3:05 mark.
 
Though, A&M-Corpus Christi couldn't get any closer. The Lions made free throws down the stretch to stay in front.
 
The Islanders will play their second of a four-game road trip Saturday when they travel to Lamar for a 4:30 p.m. tip. The two teams split the season series last year, each winning at home.
 
NOTES
- The Islanders are now 11-7 all-time against the Lions and 6-5 in the last 11. The program is 6-6 against SLU under head coach Willis Wilson.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi is 4-4 in its last seven conference openers.
 
- Bertain topped his previous career-high of 19 points set earlier this season at Texas State. His five three-pointers were a career-best. Bertain has made at least three long-range shots in each of the last five games. He recorded his ninth career double-figure scoring game and fourth this year.
 
- Myles Smith notched his 41st career double-digit scoring affair and third this year. He was 3-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. He recorded a four-point play in the second half after he was fouled making a three-pointer and sank the free throw.
 
- Francois posted his 12th career double-figure scoring game, seventh this year and fourth in a row. He was 5-for-8 from the field.
 
- Wilson is 90-71 all-time against SLC opponents. He's won 141 games overall at The Island University and is the program's career leader in coaching victories.
 
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