HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team suffered a 73-68 loss against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Monday evening in the University Center.

SLU (8-21, 5-15 SLC) dropped its fourth-straight Southland Conference matchup, in its final home game of the 2025-26 season versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (15-14, 11-9 SLC). Southeastern battled back in the second half to tie the game, but could not take over down the stretch to secure the upset win. The green and gold closed out the game shooting 47.9 percent from the field, 21.1 percent from the three-point line and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

Three Lions ended the game in double-figures as fifth-year senior Ethan Pickett produced a season-high 17 points, finishing 6-7 from the field and 5-9 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Jeremy Elyzee followed up with 15 points, shooting 6-10 from the field, 1-2 from behind the arc and 2-3 from the free throw line against the Islanders. Redshirt-sophomore CJ Booker added 10 points and three assists to fuel a run for Southeastern late in the second half, shooting 3-6 from the field and 4-4 from the line. 

Senior Ahmed Essahaty (nine points) recorded a breakout game for the green and gold, shooting 3-5 from the field, 2-3 from the three-point line and 1-2 from the free throw line. Freshman forward Garrett Shoemaker chipped in seven points to tie his season-high alongside three rebounds, finishing 2-5 from the field, 1-3 from behind the arc and 2-3 from the line. SLU gained 30 paint points, 19 points off turnovers and nine second-chance points versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Southeastern scored the game's first points  as Elyzee claimed a hot start from the three-point line to open the matchup with a brief 3-0 lead. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi responded with an 11-3 run fueled by D'Avain Houston (14 points) to take control of the opening period. 

and controlled much of the opening period. Essahaty stepped up for the Lions midway through the first half to provide a spark of momentum off the bench, but the Islanders continued to work to hold onto their lead, 31-28.

Nick Shogbonyo (14 points) and Mason Gibson (nine points) provided a run for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi late in the first half, easily finishing in transition to post 13 fast break points. Pickett came out aggressive for Southeastern, driving hard to the rim to challenge the Islanders' defense in an effort to turn the tide of momentum in the green and gold's favor, 33-30. Though Texas A&M-Corpus Christi fell into a scoring drought in the final minutes of the half, the visitors held a 40-32 advantage going into halftime.

The Islanders closed out the first half shooting 55.6 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from the three-point line and 70.0 percent from the free throw line while SLU finished 36.0 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from behind the arc and 73.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi extended its lead to as many as 14-points early in the second half, 53-39. The Lions answered with improved defensive pressure as it forced the visitors into eight turnovers in the second half and secured points in transition. Southeastern quickened the pace of the game, igniting a 15-5 stretch to get back within striking distance, 58-54. 

Pickett continued to be a problem for the Islanders to contain midway through the final half as he dropped 10 points. As the Lions' defensive pressure continued, holding Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scoreless for three straight minutes, they tied the game as Booker connected on a smooth turn-around jumper, 60-60. The visitors regrouped to take the lead as Sheldon Williams (11 points) stepped up to provide a spark alongside Cenker Evran (14 points) in the paint, 66-60.

Southeastern refused to back down in the fight as Elyzee converted on a turn-around fade away to keep the green and gold within reach in the final minute of the contest, 70-64. SLU's defensive intensity turned up a notch to limit the Islanders' opportunities as Shoemaker provided an electrifying three-point play around the rim to bring the game within two-points, 70-68. Shogbonyo earns a trip to the free throw and connects on two attempts to hold the lead for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 71-68.

The Lions work to tie the game on a final three-point shot attempt, but it does not fall in favor of the green and gold as they are forced to foul with mere seconds left on the clock. Southeastern rallied in the second half to battle back into the contest down the stretch, but could not overcome. SLU closed out the final half shooting 60.9 percent from the field, 12.5 percent from the three-point line and 58.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Southeastern will close out SLC play on the road against conference rival Nicholls Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. before ending the regular season versus New Orleans Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Both games will be televised on ESPN+.

HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.

TICKETS

For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.