Texas A&M-Corpus Christi advances to Southland semifinals with 78-66 victory over UTSA

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi knocks out UTSA 78-66

KATY, Texas — Kevin Palmer scored 26 points, including 18 in the second half, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated UTSA 78-66 in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament Wednesday.

LaMarr Drake and Shamar Coombs each added 11 points for the third-seeded Islanders (17-14), who will play No. 2 seed Stephen F. Austin in the semifinals Thursday. Justin Reynolds had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Morris Smith IV finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the sixth-seeded Roadrunners (19-11). Omar Johnson scored 13 points and Terry Fields added 10.

After trailing 41-31 at halftime, the Islanders went on a 14-0 run that gave them a 52-47 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Corpus Christi outscored UTSA 44-24 in the paint.