The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's basketball team kicked off their three-game homestand with a high-scoring 81-54 triumph against New Orleans Thursday night at the American Bank Center.
Maintaining control early and consistently, the Islanders (19-8, 12-4 SLC) jumped ahead of New Orleans (10-17, 7-9 SLC) without allowing any opportunities for the Privateers to seize the lead. Aside from the high-scoring, it was a high night of efficiency for the Islanders who shot a season-high 54.5 percent from the floor including 50.0 percent from three.
It is the first time A&M-Corpus Christi shot 50 percent or higher from three since going 6-of-12 at UTRGV on Nov. 29, 2022. It is also the first time the Islanders were 50 percent or better from the field since they shot an even 50.0 against A&M-Commerce last season.
It is the second straight home game where the Islanders scored at least 80 points as well as making nine three-pointers. It is the third time overall where they have done either this season.
The three-point attack was spread among seven Islanders as juniors Annukka Willstedt and Jaeda Whitner came away with a pair each. Seniors Mireia Aguado and Paige Allen each contributed one as the two led all scorers with 18 and 16 points, respectively, as they combined to go 14-of-19 from the field. Allen also came away with the double-double early in the second half after grabbing 10 rebounds.
Junior Nabaweeyah McGill joined the two in double figures with 12 points. Although not posting a high scoring night, graduate Alecia Westbrook still affected the game with seven assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Aguado got things going with the first-possession goal after the Islanders won control of the tip and other than the Privateers evening it up with a bucket of their own, senior Violeta Verano initiated the onslaught with the opening three of the night as the Islanders never looked back once Allen backed her up with one of her own at 6:55. Up 18-12, Aguado pulled up for the inside jumper before netting one from the stripe for a nine-point advantage. McGill then converted on the putback in the final 10 seconds of the first to push it to a 23-15 lead.
Three near-consecutive triples from Willstedt, Whitner, and Aguado in the second quarter further extended their lead to 34-18 with just over five minutes to go in the first half. Allen scored on the second-chance layup as the Islanders doubled up the Privateers at 40-20 but the latter responded with a three of their own to chip it down at the half.
The Islanders stayed ahead by no less than 15 from there, as back-to-back lay ins from Aguado made it a 44-25 game. McGill got in the paint to net a pair herself to extend their lead back up to 50-30 with 3:35 on the clock. Westbrook got on the board points-wise with the contested layup and was met with a jumper by Aguado as the Islanders led it comfortably at 58-36 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Willstedt and Whitner each nailed a long-range shot to make it a 67-41 contest at 7:15. From there, the bench unloaded for the Islanders as senior Sasha Shishkina came in fresh for a three of her own at 4:20 for a 72-42 advantage. Freshman Andrea Montesinos then went deep and got the Islanders out to their biggest lead of the night at 81-48 with 1:30 remaining.
It completes the season sweep over the Privateers for the Islanders, who also improve to 19-3 in the all-time series and maintains an untouched record of 10-0 when playing UNO at home. With at least three games guaranteed left in the 2024 season, the Islanders are one win away from posting their first 20+ season since 2019-20.
The Islanders will continue in their final pair of games remaining in the regular season at home, hosting Southeastern Saturday at 1 p.m. and UIW Wednesday at 5 p.m. Saturday will be the annual Homecoming game where A&M-Corpus Christi will celebrate 25 years of athletics, as well as Senior Day.
