A&M-Corpus Christi Ousts SEMO for First NCAA Tournament Win in School History

DAYTON, Ohio – Picking up its first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program fought off Southeast Missouri State for a 75-71 win in the First Four on Tuesday at UD Arena.
 
The Islanders (24-10, 14-4 SLC), who were ahead for over 38 minutes in the game, led by 10 midway through the second half when the Redhawks (19-17, 10-8 OVC) surged back to tie it with 3:07 to go. Though, A&M-Corpus Christi made key plays down the stretch to secure the win in its third NCAA Tournament appearance ever.
 
Senior Jalen Jackson, the SLC Tournament MVP, poured in a career-high 22 points to go along with six rebounds. He was 14-of-18 from the free throw line and his 18 makes were also a career-best. Jackson was coming off a season-best 17 points in the championship of the SLC Tournament against Northwestern State. Ironically, the Islanders beat SEMO by the same exact score of 75-71 as the SLC Championship.
 
A big double-double game from senior Isaac Mushila, an All-Conference First-Team selection, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. He made four field goals and seven free throws.
 
Senior Ross Williams turned in 13 points off the bench. He and senior Trevian Tennyson each hit a pair of threes as Tennyson ended with 12 points. Tennyson is an All-Conference Second-Team and SLC All-Tournament honoree.
 
Also reaching double-figures was senior De'Lazarus Keys with seven points and 10 rebounds. He helped A&M-Corpus Christi outrebound SEMO 45-30, including 15-6 on the offensive end and it led to a 17-4 advantage in second chance points.
 
The Islanders were without SLC Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference First-Team selection Terrion Murdix due to injury.
 
SEMO was guided by Chris Harris who finished with 23 points. Phillip Russell turned in 15 points and 10 assists.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi scored the first six points of the game after a transition bucket by senior Simeon Fryer. Though, SEMO came back to tie it 13-13 at the 13:59 mark and took its first lead of the game 18-17 with 9:54 left.
 
Mushila scored the next five points to begin a 9-0 run and put the Islanders back up 26-18 with 5:29 to go. The Redhawks scored the final bucket of the half but A&M-Corpus Christi took a 33-27 edge into the locker room.
 
The teams exchanged buckets early in the second but the Islanders were in front 38-32 after a three by Williams with 15:47 remaining. A&M-Corpus Christi increased it to 43-34 at the 14:04 mark after free throws by Mushila and Williams.
 
After SEMO cut it to 45-43, the Islanders answered with an 8-0 run which included lay-ups by Jackson and Tennyson to make it 53-43 with 9:47 left.
 
The Redhawks slowly chipped away and trimmed a 61-52 deficit down to 62-61 with 4:45 remaining. SEMO tied it at the free throw line 64-64 with 3:07 to go.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi remained aggressive offensively and drew fouls to get back in the lead as Jackson hit a trio to go up 67-64 with 2:26 left. After a bucket by SEMO trimmed it to 72-71, Tennyson hit a big shot in the paint to stay ahead 72-69 with 22 seconds left.
 
The Redhawks had a chance to tie it, but a three-point attempt by Russell was off the mark with three seconds left. Mushila sealed the game with a free throw on the other end to make it a two possession game.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi has won 13 of the last 14 games and advances to play No. 1 Alabama at 1:45 p.m. Thursday in Birmingham, Alabama on CBS.
 
NOTES
- A&M-Corpus Christi earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the SLC Tournament. The Islanders beat McNeese in the semifinals and Northwestern State in the championship.
 
- The Islanders have won three conference championships in the last two seasons after back-to-back SLC Tournament titles and the 2022-23 regular season crown outright.
 
- A&M-Corpus Christi entered the game ranked top-five in the nation in free throw percentage (.790) and 13th in free throws made per game. The Islanders were 27-of-35 (.771) from the charity stripe.
 
- The Islanders are now 32-24 all-time in neutral court games. Tuesday was the first-ever meeting between A&M-Corpus Christi and SEMO.
 
- SLC Coach of the Year and NABC District 22 Coach of the Year Steve Lutz hoists a 47-22 overall record in two seasons. Lutz was also tabbed a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year award, presented to those who not only achieve success on the court but who display moral integrity off of it as well.
 
- After outrebounding 16 of 18 opponents in conference, the Islanders outrebounded SEMO 45-30.
 
- SEMO's biggest scoring run was seven consecutive points. The Islanders only gave up a scoring run of 10 or more consecutive points one time in conference and just twice on the entire season.
 
- Tennyson has already broken the school record for threes made in a season with 98. He surpassed Josh Washington's mark of 90 in 2006-07. Tennyson is now eyeing the career record in just his second season as his 172 makes are just eight behind Brandon Pye's 180 from 2012-16. It was his 49th career double-figure scoring game and 21st in a row.
 
- Mushila tied the school record for double-doubles in a season with 13. It was the 26th in his two-year career at A&M-Corpus Christi. Mushila notched his 46th career double-figure scoring game and 30th career double-digit rebounding outing. He led the SLC in rebounds this season with 9.7 per game.
 
- Jackson surpassed his previous career-high of 19 points against Denver on Nov. 17, 2021. It was his 18th career double-figure scoring game and 11th this season. Jackson's previous career-best in free throws made was eight against Southeastern on Jan. 12, 2023.
 
- Williams tallied his 15th double-figure scoring game of the year. He's made at least one three in 14 of the last 15 games.
 
- Keys pulled down at least 10 rebounds for the 10th time in his career and third this season.
 
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