Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Disciplined Valparaiso team beats Islanders, 94-72

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Friday, December 8, 2000

Disciplined Valparaiso team beats Islanders, 94-72
After losing four straight games, A&M-Corpus Christi men still have to travel to Texas and Texas Tech
By Mark Zuckerman
Caller-Times
VALPARAISO, Ind. - If this was any indication of what the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball team can expect during a difficult three-game stretch, the next week could be rough.
   Facing a bigger, stronger and more disciplined opponent Thursday night, the Islanders offered up little challenge to Valparaiso, losing, 94-72, at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
   Losers of four straight and five of its last six, A&M-Corpus Christi (3-5) still has to travel to Texas and Texas Tech next weekend before its murderous road schedule comes to an end.
   "There's no question that we're better than this," head coach Ronnie Arrow said. "We just have to start showing up. We've just got to have some accountability on our team."
   In Thursday's setback, the Islanders were unable to matchup with the much larger Crusaders (6-2), who got big performances from 6-foot-8 forwards Lubos Barton (19 points, 8 rebounds) and Joaquim Gomes (13 points) along with 7-foot, 270-pound center Antti Nikkila (16 points, 9 rebounds).
   The size differential was obvious on the glass, with Valpo outrebounding A&M-Corpus Christi, 42-26 (18-11 on the offensive boards), making the Islanders 0-5 in games in which they lose the rebounding battle.
   "It's like taking candy from a baby right now," Arrow said. "We're not stepping up when it's time to step up."
   The Crusaders came out sinking 3-pointers-three of them in a span of five minutes-then went on a 9-0 run that included seven straight points on free throws to take a 30-16 lead with 7 minutes left in the first half.
   The Islanders countered with an 8-0 run capped by a Lee Denmon 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 8, but that would be as close as they would come the rest of the night. Jared Nuness' 3-pointer from the corner as the first half buzzer sounded put Valpo up 45-32 at the half and seemed to take the life out of A&M-Corpus Chisti.
   With Michael Hicks and Damian Kirkaldy again in foul trouble-Kirkaldy fouled out for the fourth time in eight games this year, while Hicks played much of the second half with four fouls-the Islanders had little chance of catching Valpo.
   Hicks wound up leading the team with 18 points, while Denmon came off the bench for the first time this year and finished with 17 points, though most came late in the game with the outcome already certain.
   "On the road or anywhere, you're going to get crazy fouls," Arrow said. "Our problem right now is that we're not tough enough to battle through those and be able to play with fouls."



Staff writer Mark Zuckerman can be reached at 886-3747 or by e-mail at zuckermanm@caller.com

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