CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Junior Davion Buster scored a team-high 20 points, but Lamar University was hurt by a 13-3 run from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to open the second half as the Islanders defeated LU, 77-66, Saturday evening at the American Bank Center. The run opened up what had been a close game throughout the first half.
 
The Cardinals (4-16/2-9 Southland) finished the night shooting 24-of-57 (.421) from the field but struggled from long range shooting just 3-of-17 (.176) from three-point range (with just one of those coming in the second half).
 
A&M-Corpus Christi finished the night going 27-of-58 (.466) from the floor, including eight makes from three-point range.
 
Buster was one of four Cardinals in double figures. Senior Avery Sullivan added 14 points on 5-of-7 (.714) shooting and also pulled down eight rebounds. Freshman Kasen Harrison scored 13 points, while sophomore David Muoka recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He also recorded four blocks on the night.
 
Jalen White led four Islanders in double figures with 21 points.
 
After Islanders built an 8-2 lead behind two early three-pointers, the Cardinals got consecutive baskets from Sullivan and Buster to trim the deficit down to a single possession. Big Red took its first lead of the game following an Anderson Kopp three-pointer coming out of a timeout.
 
The three-pointer sparked a 7-0 run to that saw LU surge out in front. After the Islanders answered with a basket, The Cardinals pushed the run to 10-2 with a Buster triple to take a 12-10 lead. Unfortunately, A&M-Corpus Christi responded with a 16-2 run to build an 11-point lead. The remainder of the half saw LU answer every Islander basket as the hosts took a nine-point lead into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals managed just nine field goals in the opening 20 minutes (9-of-27/.333), with only two three-pointers. Big Red held a slim advantage on the glass at the break, 20-18.
 
While the Cardinals struggled from long range in the first half, A&M-Corpus Christi managed to hold that lead due to their ability to know down the three. The Islanders finished the half 13-of-32 (.406) from the field, including six three-pointers.
 
Both teams did a good job of holding onto the basketball in the first half with just eight turnovers between the two, but LU managed to force their hosts into just two first half miscues.  
 
A&M-Corpus Christi opened the second half on a 13-3 run to take a 19-point lead. The Islanders saw their lead grow to as many as 23 points, before LU mounted a rally. Trailing by 23, the Cardinals got a high-percentage basket from Muoka with 13:51 remaining. The Muoka dunk sparked a 13-3 run for the Red and White pulling to within 10 midway through the second half.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi responded with seven-straight points following a Myles Smith three-pointer, and the Islanders managed to keep their lead in double figures until late in the game. The Cardinals got baskets from Lincoln Smith followed by a Sullivan layup as LU trimmed the deficit to nine late but couldn't get any closer as A&M-Corpus Christi holds on for the victory.
 
Big Red will be back in action Monday when they return home to host Sam Houston at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center. The game against the Bearkats is a makeup from a game that was postponed earlier this week due to the winter storm that hit Southeast Texas.