Slow Start Hinders Islanders Despite Outscoring Oklahoma State in Second Half

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program couldn't buy a bucket in the first half as Oklahoma State built a large lead early and finished on top 81-58 Tuesday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
 
However, A&M-Corpus Christi (6-6) showed a lot of fight in the second half where it outscored the Cowboys (8-4) 38-37. The Islanders shot .242 from the field in the first and .406 in the second.
 
The Islanders missed their first 13 three-point attempts, while the Cowboys were 10-of-19 from three in the first half. It resulted in a 24-point halftime deficit for A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Graduate Ross Williams netted a game-high 19 points. He was 5-of-11 from three-point range including 3-of-5 in the second half. Senior Trevian Tennyson also reached double-figures by scoring all 10 of his points in the second half.
 
The Cowboys garnered 12 points and 14 rebounds from Moussa Cisse. Bryce Thompson finished with a team-high 13 points. Oklahoma State shot .509 from the field on the day including .577 in the first half.
 
After the Cowboys scored the first six points of the game, senor Isaac Mushila got the Islanders on the board with a lay-up at the 15:16 mark. A drive by freshman Owen Dease made it 9-4, but the Cowboys went on a 9-2 spurt to go up 18-6 with 11:30 left.
 
After a jumper by senior De'Lazarus Keys, Oklahoma State went on a 14-1 run to lead 32-9 with 5:00 to go. Williams hit a pair of threes late in the half, but the Islanders trailed 44-20 at the intermission.

R. Williams nails a 3FG in the closing seconds. Islanders trail 44-20 at the half.#ShakasUp // #LutzGo pic.twitter.com/22r2ogSagy

— Islanders Men's Basketball (@Islanders_MBB) December 20, 2022

The Islanders scored the first five points of the second half on a jumper by Keys and a three by Tennyson to trail 44-25. Though, the Cowboys responded with an 8-1 spurt to push their lead back up to 52-26 with 15:55 to go.
 
A three on the fast-break by senior Tyrese Nickelson had A&M-Corpus Christi down 60-37 at the 10:09 mark. The Islanders trailed 74-50 after a step back jumper by sophomore Jordan Roberts with 4:35 remaining.
 
It was the final game before Christmas break for A&M-Corpus Christi, which will be off from competition until Dec. 28 when it hosts Our Lady of the Lake at 4 p.m. at the Dugan Wellness Center.
 
NOTES
- It was the 11th meeting between A&M-Corpus Christi and Oklahoma State and the first since Dec. 29, 2018.
 
- The Islanders are now 8-4 in the month of December under head coach Steve Lutz in two seasons. Their only losses are against Power Five schools Minnesota, Notre Dame, Arizona and Oklahoma State.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi played its sixth contest away from home in its last eight. It included 20 days between home games.
 
- The Islanders posted a positive turnover margin 16-13 and outscored Oklahoma State 10-9 in points off turnovers.
 
- Williams tallied his fifth double-figure scoring game of the year. It was the third time he's made at least five threes in a contest.
 
- Tennyson recorded his 28th career double-digit scoring game, eighth this year and second in a row.
 
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#ShakasUp