The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders women’s hoop team are fresh from a win against Sam Houston State that boosts them to 3-1 in the Southland Conference.
The Islanders (9-6) trail only Lamar in the early Southland race after their 76-61 triumph over the Bearkats on Wednesday.
They kick off a doubleheader Saturday night at the American Bank Center.
Both the men and women hook up with the University of New Orleans. This is not a normal game, either, with live television provided on ESPN3.
Texas A&M head women’s coach Royce Chadwick knows the challenges his team will be facing on Saturday and what they will have to do to grab a big win as his team plays on the national stage against the Privateers (5-9,1-4).
“UNO is a very good basketball team,” Chadwick said. “They are extremely post-oriented and it will be a great test for our post players to see if we can step up to the challenge.
“We have to play our defense. We have to get out and defend … we have to keep them off the boards. We cannot be giving up 25 offensive rebounds and win basketball games and then we have to go execute on offense once we go down the floor. We have to do what we have to do in order to get a teammate a shot.”
Junior guard La’Janeira Robinson and her teammates are thrilled about being in the spotlight.
“I think it’s very exciting for our team,” said Robinson, who averages 3.5 points per game. “It’s a big opportunity to showcase what we’ve got and show that’s how we play as a team and as one.”
The women will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 5 p.m.
