CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders men's basketball team never trailed after the opening minute and used a dominant first half to power past Lamar 76-63 Saturday at the American Bank Center in a pivotal conference matchup.
A&M-Corpus Christi (14-12, 10-7 SLC) led for most of the game, building a 24-point first-half advantage and shooting 44 percent overall from the field. The Islanders forced 13 Lamar (12-14, 7-10 SLC) turnovers that turned into 19 points, outscored the Cardinals' bench 34-7 and held them to just a 39 percent shooting day. The Islanders also edged Lamar 32-30 on the glass and 32-28 in the paint.
It completes the season sweep over the Cardinals for A&M-Corpus Christi, garnering the much needed league win as the regular season slate winds down. It is the third year in a row that this matchup saw a season sweep between them, with the Islanders doing it twice in that stretch (last in 2023-24).
After Lamar scored on its opening possession, the Islanders responded quickly.
Bryson Wheatfall's tip-in tied it, and a fast-break dunk by
Franck Yetna ignited a 9-0 burst capped by a
D'Avian Houston triple and a
Sheldon Williams layup off a steal. Midway through the first half, Houston knocked down another three and
Kam Parker added a jumper as the lead stretched to double digits.
The Islanders broke it open with a 14-2 run late in the half.
Kobi Pearson threw down a dunk,
Daniel Michelini-Jackson scored inside and Houston drilled his third long-range shot to push the margin to 38-14 with 3:35 left before halftime. Lamar closed the half on a small run, but A&M-Corpus Christi carried a 38-22 lead into the break.
Lamar cut the deficit to 11 midway through the second half and later down to eight with just over five minutes remaining, but the Islanders answered each time.
Mason Gibson hit a key three ball off an offensive rebound, Williams converted a three-point play with 1:32 left, and the Islanders went 18-of-21 from the free-throw line in the second half to seal it.
Houston led A&M-Corpus Christi with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Williams added 12 points and four rebounds, while
Cenker Evran finished with 11 points and three assists. Wheatfall contributed seven points and eight rebounds, and
Leo Torbor recorded five steals.
The Islanders are now back to a tie for third place along with UTRGV and Nicholls with just five games remaining on the schedule. A&M-Corpus Christi will have to face SFA still in that stretch on Monday at 7 p.m.
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