HOUSTON (Interstat) — Texas A&M-Corpus Christi led wire-to-wire in an 81-65 victory over Houston Christian in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Sharp Gymnasium. The Islanders built a 14-point halftime lead and maintained control throughout. Sheldon Williams scored 16 points to lead Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, while Mason Gibson also added 16. Kylin Green paced the Huskies with 15 points. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi improved to 8-7 overall. Houston Christian fell to 5-10. The Islanders were projected as favorites and covered the pregame spread in a game that went over the projected total. Attendance was 473.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — A dominant first-half defensive performance propelled Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to a comfortable 81-65 victory over Houston Christian in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Sharp Gymnasium. The Islanders (8-7, 2-1) held the Huskies to just 27 points on 30% shooting in the opening period, building a 41-27 halftime lead that Houston Christian never seriously threatened. The Huskies (5-10, 1-2) showed more life after the break, scoring 38 points, but could not cut the deficit below double digits as the Islanders consistently answered every run. Sheldon Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward from Atmore, Alabama, led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 16 points in just 23 minutes off the bench, providing efficient interior scoring and a key defensive presence. Guard Mason Gibson added 16 points, while fellow guard DA Houston contributed 12 points, all in the first half, to help establish the early advantage. The most important stretch of the game came early, as the Islanders’ defense completely stifled the Huskies’ offense. Houston Christian missed its first five field goal attempts and committed three turnovers before finally scoring on a Demari Williams layup nearly 90 seconds into the game. That set the tone for a half in which the Huskies struggled to find any rhythm, allowing the Islanders to methodically build their lead. Houston Christian was led by Kylin Green with 15 points and four assists. Demarco Bethea added 14 points for the Huskies, who have now lost three of their last four games. The Islanders’ defensive intensity was comprehensive, disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots both inside and on the perimeter. They recorded five steals and three blocks in the first half, converting those stops into transition opportunities that kept the Huskies on their heels. This early lockdown proved decisive, as the Islanders’ offense, while not spectacular, was steady enough to maintain a safe margin throughout the second half. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has now won two straight conference games following a home loss to Nicholls State last week. The Islanders will look to continue their momentum on the road at Northwestern State on Saturday. Houston Christian, seeking to rebound from back-to-back losses, travels to face Stephen F. Austin, also on Saturday. The game drew an announced crowd of 473 to Sharp Gymnasium. The combined score of 146 points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 132.5. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi covered the spread as a 2.5-point favorite, an outcome in line with statistical models that gave the Islanders a 73% probability of winning.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference teams looking to gain early traction in the league race meet Monday when the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders visit the Houston Christian Huskies at Sharp Gymnasium. The Islanders (6-7) enter with modest momentum, having won their conference opener 83-69 against New Orleans on Wednesday. The Huskies (5-9) aim to rebound from a 73-56 road loss at Incarnate Word in their Southland opener this past Saturday. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top recent scorers. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi guard Mason Gibson is averaging 18.8 points over his last four games against Division I opponents, including a 22-point performance in the win over New Orleans. For Houston Christian, guard Demari Williams is coming off a 22-point, 6-rebound effort against Incarnate Word and has averaged 21 points in his last two games. Both teams have faced challenging non-conference schedules, with the Islanders suffering losses to power conference opponents Kansas and Oklahoma State. Houston Christian’s schedule included a recent road loss to Iowa State. Within conference play, each has shown vulnerabilities; the Islanders dropped a home game to Nicholls State 76-71 on Dec. 29, while the Huskies are currently on a five-game skid, with their last win coming on Dec. 6. The game represents an opportunity for both squads to establish a winning conference record. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has shown a potent offense at times, scoring over 80 points in three of its wins. Houston Christian will need to improve its defensive consistency after allowing an average of 78 points during its losing streak. Following this contest, the Islanders continue a road swing at Northwestern State on Jan. 10. The Huskies hit the road for their next two, facing Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 10 and Lamar on Jan. 12. The teams will meet again in Corpus Christi on Jan. 31. Tipoff is set for Monday night in Houston.