STWF Sports | CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas | Dec. 31, 2025 — The New Orleans Privateers traded punches early but could not withstand a decisive second-half surge, falling 83–69 to the Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders on Wednesday night at the Hilliard Center.
The game turned shortly after the first media timeout of the second half. Holding a slim 40–37 edge, the Islanders erupted for a 23–7 run over the next five minutes, blowing open what had been a tightly contested contest. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi shot 9-of-11 from the field during the stretch, converting at every level and forcing the Privateers into a reactive mode they never fully escaped.
Mason Gibson was central to the Islanders’ burst, scoring seven of his game-high 22 points during the run. His shot-making from the perimeter and ability to attack closeouts sparked an offense that suddenly found rhythm after a sluggish first half. By the time the run concluded, the Islanders had built a 19-point cushion, and New Orleans was left chasing the game for the remainder of the night.
Despite continued effort, the Privateers could not close the gap to fewer than the final margin over the last 11 minutes. Every time New Orleans threatened to build momentum, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi responded with timely baskets or defensive stops to maintain control.
The lopsided second-half run stood in stark contrast to a first half defined by balance and defensive resistance. The opening 20 minutes featured five ties and six lead changes, with neither team able to seize lasting separation. Both squads shot just 36 percent from the field in the half, underscoring the physical nature of the matchup and the emphasis on half-court execution.
New Orleans enjoyed brief stretches of control early. MJ Thomas finished a pick-and-roll with a powerful dunk to give the Privateers a 19–14 lead with 9:36 remaining in the first half, marking their largest advantage of the night. The Islanders answered quickly, however, leveling the score just over a minute later and setting the tone for a back-and-forth opening period.
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi reclaimed the lead for good at 25–23 when Sheldon Williams converted a layup with 4:18 left before the break. From there, the Islanders closed the half with poise, carrying a 32–27 advantage into the locker room despite continued shooting struggles from both teams.
Gibson was the lone Islander to reach double figures in the first half and finished as the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. Williams and Cenker Evran each contributed nine points, with Evran also pulling down nine rebounds to anchor the Islanders on the glass during key stretches.
For New Orleans, balanced scoring kept the game competitive early, but the absence of sustained efficiency proved costly. Jakevion Buckley and Coleton Benson co-led the Privateers with 15 points apiece. Buckley added five rebounds and four assists, continuing to serve as the engine of the offense. Enzo Boudouma chipped in 10 points, while Thomas finished with eight. Kedrick Osby provided energy inside with six points and six rebounds.
Ultimately, the Islanders’ efficiency during their decisive second-half run proved too much to overcome. New Orleans showed resilience and composure early, but the inability to string together stops during that critical five-minute window swung the game decisively.
The Privateers will look to regroup quickly as their road trip continues. New Orleans heads north Saturday for a Southland Conference matchup against Northwestern State Demons, aiming to rediscover the defensive consistency and offensive rhythm needed to finish stronger away from home.
