Privateers Pull Away from Islanders Late on Senior Night

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A late 13-0 run by New Orleans was the difference in the game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program in a 69-61 final Wednesday on Senior Night at the American Bank Center.
 
The game between A&M-Corpus Christi (4-17, 1-11 SLC) and UNO (6-13, 5-6 SLC) was sponsored by Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union.
 
Before the game, the Islanders honored five student-athletes for Senior Night including Javae Lampkins, Myles Smith, Perry Francois, Peyton Smith and Nolan Bertain. All five are on pace to graduate with degrees this spring.
 
The Islanders led 51-48 at the 7:34 mark after a three-pointer by sophomore Jordan Hairston. Though, the Privateers responded by scoring the next 13 points to take a 61-51 advantage with 4:09 and pull away.
 
It was a tough shooting night for A&M-Corpus Christi, which was 19-for-60 (.317) from the field and 8-of-27 (.296) from long range.
 
Matching his career-high, sophomore Jalen White registered 24 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He was 4-of-6 from beyond-the-arc and 10-of-13 from the free throw line. White was the only student-athlete in double-figures for the Islanders.
 
Hairston ended with nine points and a career-high five steals, while junior De'Lazarus Keys pitched in with eight points and eight rebounds.
 
UNO was led by Troy Green who posted 16 points and was 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Damion Rosser neared a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi got off to a slow start and trailed 8-0 out of the gates. A three-pointer by White put the team on the board, and a second three by him trimmed it to 14-11 with 12:12 to go. The Islanders came within one, 24-23, on a fast-break lay-up by Keys with 6:30 remaining.
 
The Islanders made the last bucket of the half on a second-chance jumper in the paint by Francois with 36 seconds left, but trailed 30-29 at the intermission. They made the first field goal of the second half on a shot by Bertain to take their first lead of the game 31-30.
 
The initial 12 minutes of the second half were back-and-forth. A free throw by Hairston kept A&M-Corpus Christi up one, 46-45 at the 10:15 mark. Hairston's three-pointer with 7:34 to go gave the team its largest lead 51-48 before the Privateers went on the deciding 13-0 spurt.
 
The Islanders will not have a game over the weekend but will take the court again Monday at 7 p.m. when they travel to Lamar. A&M-Corpus Christi is going for the season sweep over the Cardinals after winning 77-68 at home.
 
NOTES
- A&M-Corpus Christi is now 202-101 all-time at home and 134-74 in the American Bank Center.
 
- White matched his career-high of 24 points set against Our Lady of the Lake on Dec. 19, 2020. His four three-pointers and three blocks were also career-bests. White netted his third consecutive 20-plus scoring game and ninth double-figure scoring outing of the year.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi grabbed a season-high 14 steals. It came after forcing 25 turnovers.
 
- The Islanders swatted seven blocks as a team, which were the most in conference play this year. Their season-high is nine blocks against Paul Quinn.
 
- Head coach Willis Wilson carries a 91-81 record against Southland Conference opponents. He's won 142 games overall since arriving at The Island University and is the program's career leader in coaching victories.
 
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