CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Another strong performance from senior Phynique Allen (San Diego, Calif./Eastern Washington) was not enough to overcome a balanced attack from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Wednesday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, falling to the Islanders, 97–89, in overtime in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational. Allen scored a game and personal–best 36 points but the Islanders countered with four players in double figures, led by Jade Davis who led the way with 30 points.
The Islanders (23–10) were the No. 2 seed in the West Region of the WBI's inaugural tournament. The Roadrunners (16–13) were the No. 7 seed. Turnovers and missed shots eventually caught up to CSUB who started the game on fire, hitting 15 of its first 28 shots (53.6 percent). Uncharacteristically, the 'Runners turned the ball over 16 times while forcing just 14 TAMUCC miscues, a team that came in averaging 18.3 turnovers per game. In the overtime period, CSUB hit just two of its 10 shot attempts while the Islanders were 50 percent from the field (4-of-8).
Allen was joined in double figures by senior Katie Williams (Las Vegas/Reedley College) who had 14 points and 11 rebounds before picking up her fifth foul midway through the second half. It was her team leading seventh double–double of the year. Freshman Amber Williams (Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda HS) added 13 points and four steals. Foul problems shortened the CSUB bench midway throughout the second half and into the overtime period as Williams, sophomore Jana Smith (Tehachapi HS), junior Tamiko Davis (Sacramento, Calif./San Jose State) and Allen each fouled out of the game.
The 'Runners led for the majority of the first half. TAMUCC briefly held a two point advantage, 12–10, with 16:32 remaining before CSUB jumped back into control. The CSUB lead would grow to as many as five points before the Islanders tied the game, 30–30, with 5:35 left before halftime. But CSUB remained in control to finish the opening stanza and led 42–41 at the break. Allen had an unstoppable first half, scoring 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
Things started to turn in the second half after the Roadrunners built their largest lead of the game, 48–41, early. The Islanders battled back to tie the game several times before grabbing a five point lead, 63–58, with 11:03 left in regulation. But a pair of threes from Amber Williams and freshman Lauren Carter (Moorpark HS) gave the lead right back to CSUB.
The Roadrunners led by one, 83–82, with 1:32 remaining in the game as senior Kelley Tarver (Valencia HS) nailed a three pointer off an assist from Smith. A pair of free throw's from TAMUCC's Lauren Smith gave the lead back to the Islanders. With one minute left, Davis went to the line with a chance to give CSUB the lead but was only able to hit one of two to tie the game, 84–84. Neither team was able to score and the game headed to overtime.
Davis atoned for her miss with a layup to start the overtime period. But after that it was all Islanders who would score 13 of the last 16 points of the contest for the eight point win.
A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI 97, CSU BAKERSFIELD 89
CSU BAKERSFIELD (16-13)
Allen 13-25 9-15 36; K. Williams 5-12 4-4 14; A. Williams
5-13 0-0 13; Smith 3-5 1-4 7; Davis 3-4 1-2 7; L. Carter 2-4 1-2 7; Tarver 2-9
0-0 5; Leon 0-0 0-0 0; S. Carter 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-72 16-27 89.
A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI (23-10)
Davis 9-21 7-8 30; Smith 4-9 5-6 13; Jeffery 6-12 1-4 13;
Beagle 6-13 0-0 12; Scott 3-5 3-4 9; Jammer 3-5 2-3 8; Green 2-8 0-0 5;
Montgomery 2-12 0-0 4; Myles 1-6 1-2 3; Darley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 36-91 19-27 97.
CSU Bakersfield......... 42
42 5 - 89
A&M-Corpus Christi............ 41 43
13 - 97
3-point goals--CSU Bakersfield 7-21 (A. Williams 3-8; L.
Carter 2-3; Tarver 1-5; Allen 1-3; K. Williams 0-2), A&M-Corpus Christi
6-19 (Davis 5-8; Green 1-3; Montgomery 0-5; Smith 0-3). Fouled out--CSU
Bakersfield-Allen; K. Williams; Smith; Davis, A&M-Corpus Christi-Beagle.
Rebounds--CSU Bakersfield 43 (K. Williams 11), A&M-Corpus Christi 61
(Beagle 12). Assists-CSU Bakersfield 13 (Allen 5), A&M-Corpus Christi 16
(Davis 5; Montgomery 5). Total fouls--CSU Bakersfield 23, A&M-Corpus
Christi 19. Technical fouls--CSU Bakersfield-None, A&M-Corpus Christi-None.
A-1036
