Willie Williams<\/a> rebounding. It’s everybody go get it.”<\/p>\nMubiru’s nine boards \u2014 six on the defensive end \u2014 helped offset stretches where Williams wasn’t as dominant on the glass. Thomas added six rebounds of his own.<\/p>\n
“Those rebounds matter,” Cabrera said. “We need our guards to go rebound. When the shot goes up, go pursue the basketball.”<\/p>\n
Now comes a familiar opponent \u2014 and one tied to some of the most dramatic moments of Northwestern’s recent seasons.<\/p>\n
Texas A&M\u2013Corpus Christi (15-14, 11-9) enters Saturday fresh off a 73\u201368 win at Southeastern on Monday. The Islanders weathered a second-half Lions rally, with D’Avian Houston, Nick Shogbonyo and Evran Cenker each scoring 14 points in the victory.<\/p>\n
The Islanders shot over 50 percent from the field in that win and hold a 6-2 record this season when eclipsing the 50-percent mark.<\/p>\n
Defense remains their calling card. Texas A&M\u2013Corpus Christi ranks 13th nationally in 3-point percentage defense at 29.7 percent \u2014 the best mark in the Southland Conference \u2014 consistently limiting opponents’ perimeter rhythm.<\/p>\n
“If one thing travels, it should be defense,” Cabrera said. “At the end of practice, I tell them to pack three things: toughness, rebounding and defense. That travels. And on the road, you need it.”<\/p>\n
The first matchup this season came Jan. 10 on Mike McConathy Court, when Thomas delivered a one-legged, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Demons a 79\u201378 victory.<\/p>\n
Last season in the Southland Conference Tournament’s opening round, Thomas buried a 3-pointer from the right wing with 17.3 seconds remaining to eliminate the Islanders.<\/p>\n
The Demons carry a two-game winning streak over Texas A&M\u2013Corpus Christi \u2014 their first two-game stretch in the series since 2013, when Northwestern won four straight from Feb. 5, 2011, to March 7, 2013.<\/p>\n
But Cabrera expects a different challenge in Corpus Christi.<\/p>\n
“After watching the film, the first 14 minutes of the first half against them was pretty embarrassing,” he said. “They got whatever they wanted in the paint. They’re very tough, very physical. Probably the most physical team in the league. They play 12 or 13 guys and that’s their identity.”<\/p>\n
The Islanders are known for their physicality and depth, often rotating heavily and pressuring opponents for 40 minutes.<\/p>\n
“I always tell our guys we’re not matching anybody’s toughness or intensity,” Cabrera said. “They need to match ours, or it needs to be equal. We’re going down there to do the same thing they do.”<\/p>\n
For NSU, the emphasis remains simple: defend, rebound, and execute.<\/p>\n
“I rarely talk about making shots,” Cabrera said. “I talk about executing. I don’t want them tightening up offensively. I want them tightening up defensively.”<\/p>\n
If recent history between the teams is any indication, Saturday’s matchup could once again come down to the final possession.<\/p>\n
But Cabrera said Northwestern hopes the momentum it built at home can carry south.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got momentum,” Cabrera said. “Our guys believe in each other. They’re tough. They defend. When you go on the road, you’ve got to defend. I’m excited for this Texas run.”
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By: Zach Freihofer, Sports Information Graduate Assistant
Story Links
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