NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Chisti men's basketball team fought to end but ran out of bodies in overtime as the Privateers pulled away for an 84-78 win Monday night at Lakefront Arena.
The Islanders (13-12, 9-7 SLC) saw five players foul out and were forced to navigate 56 New Orleans free-throw attempts in a game that never found a consistent flow. A&M-Corpus Christi still forced overtime, but the Privateers (11-14, 9-7) closed it out from the line in the extra period.
New Orleans finished 42 of 56 at the stripe, while the Islanders went 26 of 37. A&M-Corpus Christi outscored UNO in the paint (40-32), fast break points (21-8) and second-chance points (13-7), but the free throws ultimately decided the night.
It is the first time in two years that the Islanders played an overtime game, last coming in 2023-24 when they lost to Nicholls on March 12 that season.
The Islanders came out aggressive early, with
Franck Yetna opened the scoring with a hook in the paint and D.A. Houston followed with a fast-break layup to give A&M-Corpus Christi a 6-1 lead less than three minutes in.
Sheldon Williams anchored the interior from the opening tip, finishing through contact and cleaning the glass as the Islanders repeatedly answered New Orleans runs.
Bryson Wheatfall added energy on both ends, converting steals into layups to keep the game tight through the first half.
Despite steady scoring from Williams, New Orleans carried a 35-30 lead into the break, buoyed by 25 first-half free-throw attempts.
The Islanders flipped the game early in the second half. Houston attacked downhill for back-to-back baskets, and Yetna buried the first three of the night at the 18:51 mark to give A&M-Corpus Christi its first lead since the opening minutes.
Kobi Pearson provided a spark off the bench with a takeaway slam to make it a 10-point game at 48-38.
As the half wore on, fouls mounted. One by one, Islanders were sent to the bench, forcing constant lineup changes while New Orleans was able to find momentum once again to take late lead.
With under two minutes left in regulation, the Islanders clawed back again.
Mason Gibson knocked down free throws after a steal, and
Nick Shogbonyo attacked the rim to keep it a one-possession game. A&M-Corpus Christi forced overtime at 67-67, despite having limited players available down the stretch.
Overtime belonged to the free-throw line. New Orleans attempted 14 shots from the stripe in the extra period, while the Islanders were limited to six attempts. The Privateers outscored A&M-Corpus Christi 17-11 in OT to seal the win.
Williams led the Islanders with 20 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. Yetna added 10 points, while Pearson chipped in 10 off the bench. Houston finished with nine points and two assists, and Shogbonyo logged 39 minutes while adding nine points.
It is Williams' fifth double-double of the year, and third when recording 20+ points to go with 10+ rebounds.
The Islanders will return home now, hosting Lamar and SFA next weekend in the Hilliard Center.
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