Preview: McNeese State Cowboys at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Interstat) — A Southland Conference men’s basketball clash featuring the league’s top team and a surging rival is set for Monday afternoon at the American Bank Center. The McNeese State Cowboys (14-4, 3-1 Southland) look to rebound from their first conference loss when they visit the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (10-8, 4-1). McNeese State, which boasts the conference’s best overall record, saw a three-game win streak snapped in a narrow 79-76 road defeat at Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. Prior to that, the Cowboys had won eight of nine, including dominant conference victories over Nicholls State (94-68) and Southeastern Louisiana (73-61). Their season includes a notable non-conference road win at Rhode Island. The Islanders, however, enter with momentum, having won four of their last five. They are coming off a 68-56 home win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. A key to their recent success has been the play of guard Nicholas Shogbonyo, who is averaging 11.2 points over his last six games. He scored a season-high 16 points in a win at Texas A&M-Commerce on Jan. 12. While the Cowboys have the superior record, the Islanders have proven formidable at home in conference play. This matchup is the first of a regular-season series between the teams, who will meet again in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Feb. 21. McNeese State’s defense, which has held opponents to an average of 62.2 points in its four conference games, will be tested by a Corpus Christi squad averaging 72.4 points in league play. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CST Monday. For McNeese State, it begins a stretch of three road games in four contests. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi continues a three-game homestand before hitting the road next weekend.