CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team pulled away from Texas A&M-Commerce in the second half to take over complete control for an 86-63 decision Saturday at the American Bank Center.
The Islanders (15-10, 8-4 SLC) came out firing and ended hot the whole way, turning in a season-high 59.0 shooting from the field as they tamed the Lions (9-17, 3-10 SLC) to just a 39.6 clip. A&M-Corpus Christi also doubled up on A&M-Commerce on the glass, outrebounding the Lions 39-18.
The Islanders dominated the paint where they outscored the Lions 46-26. They also jumped out quick in transition for 12 fastbreak points while the defense slowed A&M-Commerce to none.
Junior
Garry Clark contributed greatly to the fiery offense, ending with 24 points off the back of an 11-of-12 night from the floor. He was joined in double figures by redshirt senior
Dayne Prim (18) and redshirt sophomore
Owen Dease (11). Prim ended the night with the double-double after pulling down 10 rebounds.
The Islanders kicked off the game with a hot start in the paint as Clark ignited momentum with some early baskets driving tight to the hoop, though, the Lions played close the whole time. Up 12-10, Prim fought for a pair of putbacks before Dease ran the floor to take the Islanders up 18-10 at 12:02.
Redshirt sophomore
Stephen Giwa got up for the slam at 9:02 to stamp a 26-13 lead. Roberts then caught fire with a pair of three-pointers as the Islanders built a 36-26 lead with four minutes to go in the half before Wright-Forde pushed it up by two more with the late jumper.
Dease got out fast for the long-range shot to start the second and Giwa's third chance bucket made it a 51-36 game with 17:45 to go. A&M-Commerce chipped back within two possession at 10:02, but the Islanders powered back up to 62-53 following Prim's and-one on the putback. From there, A&M-Corpus Christi continued to fire as junior
Tedrick Washington Jr. converted on the offensive board before going deep in the next possession to push it to a 77-61 game with 4:10 remaining.
The Islanders will close out the home weekend against Northwestern State Monday at 7 p.m. With six games remaining in the regular season, the Islanders will play four of them on their home court.
NOTES
- The Islanders are now 3-1 all-time over A&M-Commerce after playing the Lions for the first time last year. It is their first home win against the Lions, avenging an 84-80 loss from last year's meeting in Corpus Christi.
- In both of the games against A&M-Commerce this year, the Islanders shot 46.2 percent from three. The Islanders have shot over 33 percent from beyond-the-arc in seven SLC games this season.
- The Islanders are 28-2 over the last two seasons when holding the opposition to 70 points or less. They have held nine Southland opponents to less than 70 points this year. On the offensive end, A&M-Corpus Christi is now 23-0 over the last three seasons when shooting over .500 FG%
- Clark submitted his third 20+ scoring game of the year and second in conference play. In addition, it is his 16
th double figure scoring of the year and third in a row. He has either recorded 10+ points or 10+ rebounds in 10 SLC game this season.
- Prim recorded his first double-double of the year with the 18pts/10rebs. It was just his second time pulling down 10+ rebounds in a game this year, but it marks his seventh double figure scoring game of the year.
- Dease registered his seventh double figure scoring game of the year, 12
th in his career, and second in a row. He was able to get the 11 points within 14 minutes of play tonight.
Stay Social
For all the latest on Islanders Men's Basketball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter (
@Islanders_MBB), Instagram (
@IslandersMBB) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (
IslandersMBB).
#ShakasUp
