SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball team will rematch UIW in the second part of the back-to-back meetings this week on Saturday at McDermott Center for a 2 p.m. tip.
The Islanders (7-6, 2-0 SLC) and the Cardinals (5-7, 0-2 SLC) are coming out of a defensive battle against each other as both struggled to get points on the board in the first half of Wednesday night's matchup. However, A&M-Corpus Christi's offense came alive in the third quarter with a .636 shooting percentage to pull ahead of UIW and improve to 2-0 in conference play.
The Islanders entered the game leading the Southland in rebounding margin and combined opponent rebounds. They improved in both after outrebounding the Cardinals 41-32.
Senior Alecia Westbrook submitted a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double while also recording a career-high six steals and season-high three blocks through 38 minutes of play against UIW. With nine defensive rebounds in the game, she became the program's all-time career leader in defensive rebounds at 524 and counting.
Westbrook nearly averages a double-double with 10.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She individually ranks 27th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7.1) and 34th in rebounds per game.
Senior Makinna Serrata netted three field goals for a seven-point performance against the Cardinals. She also averages in double figures to lead the Islanders in scoring with 10.9 points per game this year.Â
UIW will look to shake off the loss in Corpus Christi in time for its conference home opener on Saturday. Nina De Leon Negron scored 19 points in Wednesday's game and now averages 13.0 per game to rank top-five in the Southland.
The game can be watched live on ESPN+, and can also be listened to live for free on 1440 AM NewsTalk K-E-Y-S with Doug Kesterson on the call.Â
NOTES
- Following Wednesday night's game, A&M-Corpus Christi improved to 18-2 in the all-time record over UIW. The Islanders lead it 8-2 when the teams play in San Antonio.
- The Islanders have won eight straight against the Cardinals, keeping UIW to under 60 points in all eight meetings.
- A&M-Corpus Christi is 7-0 this year when holding the opposition to under 60 points. Additionally, they are 6-0 when they score more second chance points and 5-0 when they post a positive turnover margin and record more blocks.
- The Islanders are 89-84 all-time in the month of January. Under head coach Royce Chadwick, they are 93-80 all-time in the Southland Conference. Â
- In the Southland, the Islanders rank second in scoring margin (2.9), defense scoring (56.2), opponent FG% (.367), opponent 3FG% (.269), assist:turnover ratio (0.77), and assists (13.08 apg).
- Westbrook ranks first in the league in rebounding, third in free throw percentage (.821), and fourth in steals (2.0 spg). Sophomore Jaeda Whitner ranks third in three-point percentage (.419) and junior Violeta Verano ranks fourth in assists (3.2 apg) and assist:turnover ratio (0.9).
- Both Serrata and Westbrook are on track to reach the 1,000 career points-milestone this season. Westbrook has 912 points while Serrata has 844.
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