CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team survived a back-and-forth battle and held on down the stretch for a 73-71 win over Houston Christian on Friday afternoon at the Hilliard Center, presented by Corpus Christi Athletic Club.
The Islanders (12-10, 8-5 SLC) traded punches for 40 minutes in a game that saw both teams holding lengthy leads but leaned on dominance in the paint and timely plays late to close it out. Despite trailing by one at the half, the Islanders shot 54 percent from the field and outscored HCU (8-14, 4-9 SLC) 42-18 in the paint, grinding out a win in a game that demanded it from start to finish.
It completes the season-sweep over the Huskies for A&M-Corpus Christi, who defeated HCU in Houston earlier this month. They are 11-1 all-time at home over HCU and 20-7 in the all-time series.
HCU struck first, but the Islanders responded quickly.
Mason Gibson knocked down a three at the 18:34 mark to even the score and
Cenker Evran followed with a strong finish inside to keep it tight early. The game swung back and forth through the opening stretch, with
Leo Torbor giving A&M–Corpus Christi its first lead on a driving layup at 14:44.
The Islanders kept answering as Gibson buried another triple at 10:24 to push the Islanders back in front. HCU closed the half with a slight edge, but Gibson hit two free throws at the buzzer to trim the deficit to 35-34 at the break.
A&M–Corpus Christi came out with purpose in the second half as Evran scored inside at 19:13 to give the Islanders a one-point lead.
Sheldon Williams answered moments later with a finish in the lane as the lead continued to change hands. With 12:43 remaining, Nicholas Shogbonyo hit a pair of free throws to push the Islanders ahead 46-43.
The turning point came midway through the half with
Bryson Wheatfall sparking the Islanders with back-to-back fast-break finishes at 10:22 and 10:04, stretching the lead to five. Gibson followed with a transition layup and-one at the 5:33 mark to give A&M–Corpus Christi its largest cushion at 63-56. HCU wouldn't go away, closing within two in the final minute. Evran scored inside with 25 seconds left to make it 71-66, and after the Huskies nailed a three, Gibson calmly stepped to the line and hit a free throw with six seconds remaining. Shogbonyo added a free throw with two seconds left, and the Islanders secured the rebound on the final miss to seal it.
Gibson led A&M–Corpus Christi with 18 points, adding big time plays down the stretch to pump up the bench. Evran finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Williams and Torbor each provided steady production in the paint.
The Islanders will close out their homestand Monday night when they host UIW in a nationally televised matchup, tipping at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports.
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