Feb. 15, 2007

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi senior guard Josh Washington scored 22 points as the Islanders kept a stronghold of the Southland Conference lead with a 99-89 win over Texas State here Thursday.

Washington's performance was his second 20-point game in his last three outings and a career high in an SLC game.

With the win, the Islanders improved to 19-5 and 10-1 in their first season in the Southland Conference. Texas State is now 8-17 and 3-9.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi began the game by knocking down eight of its first nine shots to build a 20-4 lead and would go on to shoot 60 percent for the game (33-of-55). The Bobcats never led but cut a 19-point advantage the Islanders built in the opening period to single digits by the break. TAMUCC led 50-41 at intermission.

After beating Texas State 90-42 in Corpus Christi earlier this season, the Islanders never could pull away from the Bobcats the second time around. TAMUCC's biggest lead of the second period was 17 points but the 'Cats got it down to nine, with 7:26 to play on a Brandon Bush layin at the 7:26 mark.

Texas State cut the lead to as few as eight points twice. The first time came when Antwon Williams converted a three-point play with 6:17 to play to make the score 83-75.

Two quick turnovers led to TAMUCC center Chris Daniels being free for an unguarded dunk attempt. The senior from San Antonio would take his time to set up his jam attempt and was fouled by Matt Fullenwider. The play was called intentional and Daniels hit both free throws. On the ensuing offensive possession, Taurean Mitchell hit a 10-foot jumper to stretch the Islanders' lead to 87-75 with 5:42 to play.

Brent Holder's three-point play at the 3:41 mark cut TAMUCC's lead to 88-80 but Holder was whistled for his fifth personal on the Islanders' next possession and Seth Engelken made two free throws to stretch TAMUCC's margin back to double figures.

Scooby Johnson scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Islanders while Daniels and Mitchell both finished with 14.

Texas State was led by Chris Agwumaro who scored a career-high 22 points, going 8-for-11 from the field and connecting on all three of his three-point attempts. Holder added 17 points off the bench.

The Bobcats close out the year by playing three of their final four on the road starting Saturday at Texas-San Antonio. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi plays host to Texas-Arlington Monday in a Southland Conference game which will be broadcast by FSN Southwest.