A&M-Corpus Christi Falls after Slow Start against CSU Bakersfield

EL PASO, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program was ice cold in the first half and CSU Bakersfield was able to hold them off in the second for a 73-63 final Tuesday at the Don Haskins Center, hosted by UTEP.
 
The Islanders (3-2) were off the mark on their first 15 field goal attempts to fall behind early. Though, they battled until the end and cut a 17-point deficit down to four with just over a minute remaining, but CSUB (3-1) was able to hang on.
 
The Roadrunners shot .526 from the field and held A&M-Corpus Christi to a .323 mark including .233 in the first half.
 
Senior Terrion Murdix led the way with 14 points and a season-high seven rebounds. Senior Trevian Tennyson notched 12 points and four rebounds, and senior De'Lazarus Keys registered a season-high 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
CSUB garnered a big contribution from Modestas Kancleris who came off the bench to tally 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was one of five Roadrunners in double-figures.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi started behind 11-2 when graduate Ross Williams hit back-to-back threes to trail 11-8 at the 9:38 mark. Though, the Roadrunners answered with a 14-0 spurt to go up 25-8 with 4:56 remaining.
 
The Islanders ended the half on a 7-2 run which included a dunk by Keys on their final possession to trail 33-21.
 
CSUB led 53-36 when freshman Jourdyn Grandberry hit a three and Keys made a three throw to trail 53-40 with 10:27 to go. A jumper by Keys had the Islanders down 58-46 with 7:46 left.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi got it into single-figures 64-56 after sophomore Jordan Roberts nailed a three with 3:08 remaining. The Islanders got as close as 67-63 after Tennyson knocked down a long-range shot with 1:03 to go, but the Roadrunners were able to hold them off in the end.
 
The Islanders will play again Wednesday at 5 p.m. (CT) when they take on Alcorn in the Jim Forbes Classic, Presented by Speaking Rock.
 
NOTES
- Tuesday was the first-ever meeting between A&M-Corpus Christi and CSU Bakersfield.
 
- The Islanders are now 8-3 in the month of November under head coach Steve Lutz in two seasons.
 
- The Islanders dropped to 7-3 in neutral court games under Lutz, which included winning the conference tournament last year. The program is 28-24 all-time on a neutral court.
 
- Murdix registered his 20th career double-figure scoring game, third this year and second in a row after posting 13 against UTRGV.
 
- Tennyson etched his 23rd career double-digit scoring performance, third this year and second in a row after netting 20 against UTRGV. Tennyson tied his career-high with six free throws made in a game.
 
- Keys submitted his 17th career double-figure scoring game. He topped his season-high of eight points in the opener at Mississippi State.
 
- Sophomore Jasman Sangha made his first career start and pulled down a couple rebounds.
 
- The Islanders outrebounded the Roadrunners 39-38.
 


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