CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team saw just a second loss at home this season, falling to McNeese 69-53 in an early physical battle Monday night at the Hilliard Center.
The Islanders (10-9, 6-4 SLC) stayed competitive early but struggled to sustain offense in the physical defensive game with the Cowboys (14-4, 8-3 SLC). McNeese shot 49 percent from the field and controlled the paint while the Islanders couldn't get as many opportunities despite a decent 41 percent shooting night.
The rebounding game was also unlike the Islanders, trailing in that area 39-19. They entered the night top-two in the league in rebounding categories across the board but the major difference saw the Islanders remain winless when getting outrebounded this season.
A&M–Corpus Christi traded baskets early, with
Franck Yetna scoring inside and
Sheldon Williams converting at the line to keep the Islanders within a point in the opening minutes. At the 10:12 mark of the first half, a 3-pointer from
Kam Parker gave the Islanders a brief four-point edge, 14–10. McNeese answered with a quick run, and a late 3-pointer just before the horn sent the visitors into halftime up eight.
In the second half, the Islanders chipped away behind inside finishes from Williams and Nicholas Shogbonyo. With 13:56 left,
Cenker Evran scored in the paint to cut the deficit to 50–42. McNeese responded with a series of second-chance points, extending the lead back to double digits. Williams hit free throws at the 8:49 mark to make it 56–49, but the Islanders were unable to close the gap down the stretch.
Williams led A&M–Corpus Christi with 13 points and eight rebounds. Shogbonyo added six points, while Yetna finished with five points and two assists. Parker scored six points off the bench, and DA Houston contributed seven points. The Islanders shot 41.5 percent from the field and were outrebounded 39–19 as McNeese secured the road win.
The Islanders are now 34-6 at home overall since head coach
Jim Shaw took over ahead of the 2023-24 season. Since he's been on staff (2021-22), the Islanders are 56-12 on their home court.
The Islanders will have a one-game break in their homestand, heading to play UIW Saturday before returning home for their next five games including next Monday against UTRGV back in the Hilliard Center.
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