CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jaylen Key posted 14 points in the first half, but a furious Islander rally allowed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (8-12, 4-5 Southland) to defend its home court with a 74-71 win over New Orleans (6-13, 2-7 Southland) Wednesday evening at the American Bank Center.
Key was dominant early but was plagued by foul trouble and A&M-Corpus Christi made clutch free throws down the stretch to escape with the win.
Troy Green's and-one with 11.3 seconds remaining following a steal threatened, but time ran out on the last second shot.
Robinson scored 10 of his 13 in the second half.
TIDBITS
FINAL SCORE: New Orleans 71 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 74
LOCATION: American Bank Center – Corpus Christi
RECORDS: New Orleans (6-13, 2-7 Southland), A&M-Corpus Christi (8-12, 4-5 Southland)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Islanders took a three-point lead with 1:22 remaining in regulation to answer back following Charles Bohannon's corner three.
- Green swiped a pass and was fouled on a layup with 11.3 remaining to cut the deficit, but the Islanders made both from the line.
- The Privateers went on a 9-0 run (6:07) to regain the lead (59-56) behind six points by Robinson and a corner triple by Raquan Brown.
- The run was officially 13-3 New Orleans at the 4:46 mark (61-57 edge).
- An Islander three-pointer with 2:43 remaining put TAMUCC in front by two.
- A&M-Corpus Christi began the second on 15-3 run to begin the second half to take a four-point lead with 15 minutes remaining.
- Rodney Carson followed with back-to-back buckets, stamped by a dunk to tie the game at 48-all.
- A&M-Corpus Christi took its largest lead (six) twice in the second.
- Key scored all 14 of his points in the first half to give the Privateers a 41-33 lead at the break.
- The Privateers shot 63.6 percent from the field in the first half and went 10-of-12 from the free throw line.
HEAR FROM COACH
OPPOSITION
- The Islanders were 12-of-22 from the field in the first.
- A&M-Corpus Christi shot 60.0 percent in the second half and was led by Jashawn Talton's 21 points.
NOTEWORTHY
- Four reached double figures – Key (14), Robinson (13), Green (11) and Charles Bohannon (10).
- Jahmel Myers' and-one with 14:00 remaining in the opening stanza gave the Privateers their first lead of the game.
- Key scored seven unanswered for the Privateers to put UNO in front 34-27 at the under-4 media in the first. He was the first to double figures with 12 following and-one.
- Bol Riek's layup in the first half were his first points since December 28, 2018 (at Baylor).
- Green dished out four assists in the first.
- Lamont Berzat's rebound with 10.7 seconds remaining the opening half led to two free throws that extended the Privateer lead to eight.
NEXT UP
The Privateers return to Lakefront Arena to host Nicholls on Allstate Sugar Bowl Alumni Night Saturday at 6 p.m. Former New Orleans greats will be recognized at halftime of the men's contest. For tickets, please visit
UNOPrivateers.com/tickets.
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