HOUSTON, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team couldn't cool off a hot handed #15 Houston team, falling 87-51 Saturday at the Fertitta Center.
The Islanders (7-6) faced off against the nationally ranked Cougars (8-3) who came out fiery with a long-range attack that didn't let up all game as the visiting squad couldn't combat a 14-5 made three-point disadvantage.
It's the most threes A&M-Corpus Christi has given up in a game since March 16, 2023, in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 1 Alabama (15).
While the three-point game created a lopsided score, the Islanders stayed competitive on the glass trailing with a slim 36-34 margin, however, they outrebounded Houston 17-13 on the offensive board. The teams were also even in the paint at 20 points apiece.
Houston's three-point success got started immediately, sinking a pair early to start the day. The Islanders finally got going with the pull up jumper from freshman
Damarion Dennis before he did the same at 16:59 this time beyond the arc to get within an 8-5 score. However, the Cougars pulled ahead 18-6 before junior
Aaron Potter netted a three to break a short drought.
Stringing together a run of their own, the Islanders followed with a 6-0 burst after the second chance and-one from Dennis off the turnover at 11:37. Houston didn't falter, though, and cut it short with a continued three-point attack to hold a 46-27 lead at the break.
The second half started similarly, with Houston going deep twice to start the latter frame. There wasn't much slowing down for the Cougars from there either, preventing the Islanders from gaining too much traction despite senior
Garry Clark recording nine of his 17 points in the latter half.
Clark has scored in double figures in every game this season. Dating back to last season, he is on a 19-game streak of scoring 10+ points. He went 5-for-11 from the field, and entered the day leading the conference and ranking top-10 in the nation in field goal percentage.
Dennis also ended in double figures with 10 points. It is the third time this season that he scored 10+ points and the fifth time for a freshman to do so this year.
It was the tenth meeting between the two programs, with Houston improving to a 9-1 mark all-time over the Islanders.
The Islanders will take the week off and return to the court Dec. 29 back home in the Dugan Wellness Center against Schreiner at 3:30 p.m. in a doubleheader with the women's team.
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