LAKE CHARLES, La. — The fourth-seeded Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team pushed top-seeded Stephen F. Austin to the brink Tuesday night in the Southland Conference semifinals, controlling much of the game before the Lumberjacks narrowly escaped with a 60-58 victory at the Townsley Law Arena.
In a physical contest filled with momentum swings, the Islanders (18-15) matched the Southland's top seed possession-for-possession, building a seven-point halftime lead while holding SFA well below its typical offensive production. A&M-Corpus Christi shot nearly 70 percent in the first half and finished the night at 49 percent from the field while hitting 7-of-15 from three-point range.
The Islanders also battled on the glass, majorly outrebounding the conference's top rebounding squad 36-25.
In the low scoring contest, it is just the 11
th loss for the Islanders over the last five years despite holding an opponent to under 70 points.
A&M-Corpus Christi set the tone early, trading baskets with SFA before settling into a rhythm midway through the first half.
Kam Parker knocked down a three-pointer to push the Islanders ahead 18-10, sparking a stretch where the Islanders controlled tempo.
D'Avian Houston attacked the lane and found teammates while
Nick Shogbonyo added a jumper and later a three-pointer to help extend the lead.
The Islanders continued to answer every Lumberjack run. Houston's floater in the lane and a late three from
Franck Yetna helped A&M-Corpus Christi maintain its edge, sending the Islanders into halftime with a 39-32 advantage after a near-flawless offensive first half.
SFA gradually chipped away after the break, turning the second half into a defensive battle.
Cenker Evran opened the half with a layup to stretch the lead to nine, but the Lumberjacks responded with a run to pull even midway through the period. Houston helped steady the Islanders with a driving layup with 11:13 remaining to put A&M-Corpus Christi back in front 44-43, but neither team was able to create separation as the game tightened down the stretch.
With just over two minutes remaining, Shogbonyo delivered one of the night's biggest shots, burying a second-chance three-pointer to tie the game at 58-58. The Islanders forced a turnover on the next possession and had opportunities in the final minute, but SFA managed the final defensive stands to secure the two-point victory.
Houston led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 16 points and five assists while Shogbonyo added 15 points, including three three-pointers and the late game-tying shot.
Sheldon Williams anchored the paint with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Evran contributed four points and seven boards. Yetna and
Mason Gibson added five points apiece off the bench.
Despite the loss, the Islanders saw another season end in the top tier of the league as the only team across the conference to finish top-five every year over the last five seasons. This was the program's fourth appearance in the semifinals since 2021-22.
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