SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team built a cushioned lead at the break and kept control down the stretch Saturday night in the McDermott Center to top UIW 79-71.
The Islanders (11-9, 7-4 SLC) saw a lead as high 20 points at UIW (9-11, 4-7 SLC) and although the Cardinals created some tension by shedding that deficit down to just two possessions, the visiting squad held on to the end. It improves the Islanders to 5-2 on the road during conference play and closes out this season's first half of the league slate.
The Islanders shot over 50 percent from the field and from beyond the arc (8-14) as well as got back to their rebounding ways, pulling down 37 boards compared to UIW's 32. A&M-Corpus Christi has also now won the last nine consecutive meetings against the Cardinals.
Sheldon Williams was a huge contributor on both ends, coming away with a career-high 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. It is his second 20-point, 10-rebound double-double this year.
After UIW struck first,
Leo Torbor answered with a layup at the 18:30 mark of the opening half to even the score, and Williams followed moments later with a finish in the paint to give the Islanders an early edge.
Nick Shogbonyo pushed the Islanders ahead scoring off a turnover at 17:52 to make it 6-4, and
Cenker Evran added a layup seconds later as A&M-Corpus Christi began to stretch the lead.
Kam Parker knocked down a second-chance trey at 15:15 to push the advantage to 11-5.
The Islanders continued to capitalize on extra possessions as
D'Avian Houston drilled a three off an offensive board at the 13:36 mark, and Williams converted inside shortly after as A&M-Corpus Christi built a double-digit lead.
Mason Gibson capped a strong first half with a triple at 2:56 and Houston beat the buzzer with a corner three in the final seconds, sending the Islanders into halftime up 37-22.
Out of the break, A&M-Corpus Christi quickly widened the gap as Williams went deep at 19:20 and Shogbonyo followed with a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions, extending the lead to 45-25 with 17:02 left.
Williams continued to control the paint, scoring on back-to-back possessions around the 15-minute mark to keep the Islanders comfortably in front. UIW made a late push, cutting into the lead behind perimeter shooting, but the Islanders answered each time. Williams scored again inside at the 14:00 mark, and Houston and Shogbonyo combined to steady the offense down the stretch. Shogbonyo added key free throws in the final minutes as A&M-Corpus Christi maintained control for the victory.
The Islanders will return home for their next three to open the second half of the conference slate. It begins with a rematch over UTRGV Monday night at the Hilliard Center as the second part of the South Texas Showdown, presented by Rally Credit Union.
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