CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers were in a battle early but could not recover from an early second half run in an 83-69 loss to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Wednesday at the Hilliard Center.
The Islanders broke open what was a close game shortly after the first media timeout in the second half. Leading 40-37, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi proceeded to go on a 23-7 run over the next five minutes to extend their lead to 19 points.
Mason Gibson was a big contributor in that run with seven points. The Islanders went 9-of-11 from the field during that stretch. The Privateers could not get any closer than the final margin over the remaining 11 minutes of the contest.
It was a tightly contested game throughout the first half that saw the lead go over five points only once. The first half featured five ties and six lead changes while both teams only shot 36 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
New Orleans led by as many as five points on two different occasions.
MJ Thomas got a dunk off a pick and roll that put the Privateers up 19-14 with 9:36 remaining in the first half, but the Islanders clawed back to level terms a minute later.
The Islanders grabbed the lead back at 25-23 when Sheldon Williams scored on a layup with 4:18 remaining in the first half. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi held the lead for the remainder of the half as they went to the break with a 32-27 advantage.
Gibson was the only Islander in double figures with 22 points. Williams and Cenker Evran each had nine points. Evran also added nine rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX
Jakevion Buckley and
Coleton Benson co-led the team with 15 points each. Buckley added five rebounds and four assists.
Enzo Boudouma finished with 10 points.
MJ Thomas had eight points and
Kedrick Osby finished with six points and six rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Privateers continue their road trip on Saturday when they face Northwestern State on Saturday.
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