Career-Highs from Serrata, Pollard Not Enough for Islanders in Conference Opener at SLU

HAMMOND, La. – Trailing by 12 at intermission, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball program came back to cut it to a one-point deficit in the second half, but Southeastern Louisiana was able to prevail in the end 71-58 Saturday at the University Center.
 
A pair of Islanders (2-7, 0-1 SLC) registered career-highs in scoring. Junior Makinna Serrata poured in a game-high 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while fellow junior Alexandria Pollard recorded career-highs of 12 points and six blocks.
 
Sophomore Alecia Westbrook notched her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and tied her career-high with 11 rebounds. She also dished out a team-high four assists.
 
SLU (2-2, 1-0 SLC) forced 24 turnovers and held a 20-6 edge in fast-break scoring. The Lady Lions also hit 10 three-pointers in the game. Daija Harvey came off the bench to score a team-high 13 points.
 
The Islanders started slow and trailed 19-10 after a first quarter that was highlighted by four points and two steals by Serrata. A&M-Corpus Christi got the offense going in the second and trailed 21-16 after a jumper in the paint by Serrata at the 7:20 mark.
 
A fast-break lay-up by freshman Mireia Aguado had the Islanders down 26-20 with 3:02 left. However, the Lady Lions ended the half strong and took a 34-22 advantage into the half.
 
A big third quarter started with a lay-up by Serrata and three points from Westbrook to trim the deficit down to 34-27 with 6:09 remaining.
 
After SLU pushed its lead up to 42-31, the Islanders responded with a big 10-0 run, which started with a jumper by Pollard with 3:12 to go. A field goal by sophomore Hayle Campbell and a drive by Aguado made it just a 42-41 game with 1:12 left in the third.  
 
A&M-Corpus Christi was still down 47-44 after a basket by Campbell early in the fourth, but the Lady Lions answered with a 6-0 spurt to create separation 53-44 with 6:45 to go. The closest the Islanders could come the rest of the way was 58-52 after a lay-up by Westbrook with 4:32 reamining.
 
It was the first game in 17 days for A&M-Corpus Christi after a cancelation, followed by a break for the holidays.
 
The Islanders will remain on the road Wednesday when they travel to Stephen F. Austin for a 7 p.m. tip.
 
NOTES
- A&M-Corpus Christi is now 11-8 all-time against SLU. The two teams split the season-series last year, each winning at home.
 
- The Islanders entered the game leading the SLC in blocks with 3.88 per outing and swatted away a season-high eight in the contest.
 
- Serrata topped her previous career-high of 11 points, set two times last year. Her season-high this year was nine points in the season-opener against Texas A&M-International. It was her fourth career double-digit scoring affair. Serrata's seven made field goals were also a career-best.
 
- Pollard upped her career-high from 11 points against Concordia (Texas) this year. It was her second double-figure scoring game of the season. Pollard has 10 blocks in the last two games after rejected four against Texas State in the non-conference finale.
 
- Westbrook submitted her fifth career double-double and fourth this year. It was the third time she secured 11 rebounds. Westbrook tallied her 13th career double-figure scoring game and eighth this year after going 5-of-7 from the floor. She's scored in double-figures in eight of nine games this season.
 
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