CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Already having clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball will continue fighting for seeding as it hosts Northwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce this weekend at the American Bank Center.
The Islanders will tip-off against Northwestern State Thursday night at 7 p.m. It will be the annual "Pink Out" where fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game, sponsored by Buster's Propane. Saturday's game against A&M-Commerce, sponsored by KIII News, will begin at 1 p.m.
The Islanders (15-7, 8-3 SLC) return home after splitting their road trip with a 78-64 win at McNeese after dropping 70-67 at Nicholls two days prior. Against the Cowgirls, the Islanders dominated the glass, outrebounding the Cowgirls 40-22 including 16-4 on the offensive board. It was the second-best offensive rebounding in SLC play for A&M-Corpus Christi this year, who previously pulled down 24 in the first meeting with McNeese.
The win also secured A&M-Corpus Christi's spot in the SLC Championships, set for March 11-14 in Lake Charles, La.
Graduate
Alecia Westbrook was one of four Islanders in double figures against McNeese with 13 points. It was quite the highlight for Westbrook, who made her 100th consecutive start in the game, all coming in an Islanders uniform.
Mireia Aguado has continued to have a breakout season in her senior year. She posted back-to-back career games after her career best of 21 points at Northwestern State was broken in the very next game with 22 points against Lamar. Aguado has significantly improved from her last year's scoring average from 4.1 ppg to 10.1 ppg.
She seconds the team in scoring, with Westbrook leading the way with 11.5 points per outing.
Junior
Nabaweeyah McGill continues to lead the league in blocks, averaging 1.5 per game. Westbrook seconds the conference in rebounding (7.9 rpg), third in def. rebounding (5.7 drpg), third in off. rebounding (2.2 orpg), fourth in steals (1.9 spg), and fifth in FG% (.487). Aguado ranks second in FG% with a .509 shooting mark.
As a team, the Islanders lead the Southland Conference in scoring margin (+9.1), scoring defense (56.6 ppg), 3FG% defense, rebounding (40.5 rpg), assists (14.00 apg), and steals (11.41 spg). Westbrook is one of three Islanders in the top-five for steals, as Aguado ranks third (2.0 spg) and Criswell ranks fifth (1.8 spg).
Both games will be available to watch live with a subscription to ESPN+. Doug Kesterson will be on the call for both.
NOTES
- A&M-Corpus Christi leads Northwestern State 17-5 in the all-time series and 8-3 when playing the Lady Demons at home. The Islanders have won all 10 of the last 10 meetings and haven't dropped a home game to NWST since the 2014-15 season.
- The streak against the Lady Demons includes a 50-45 win earlier this year Aguado bolstered a career-high 21 points at the time to propel the Islanders past NWST. Aguado got sent to the line after the last-second hail Mary shot from the Lady Demons and both free throws to get A&M-Corpus Christi to 50 points.
- The Islanders lead A&M-Commerce 3-0 in the all-time series and will be looking for back-to-back home wins over the Lions after winning last year's home game
- The Islanders are also 12-1 this year when they score 60 or more points. They have scored at least 50 points in every game this year, the first time since 2013-14 that the Islanders have scored at least that many in each of the first 22 games of the season.
- The Islanders lead the league and rank #4 overall in the NCAA in 3FG% defense (.250).
- A&M-Corpus Christi remains undefeated in conference play when holding Southland teams to under 60 points. The Islanders are 12-0 overall this year when holding the opposition to under 60 points.
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