Islanders halt Demons 18-game home streak, 69-57

NATCHITOCHES - Scooby Johnson scored 16 points while Josh Washington and Chris Daniels each had 14 Thursday night, leading Southland Conference newcomer Texas A&M-Corpus Christi over two-time defending champion Northwestern State 69-57 and ending the Demons 18-game home winning streak. TAMCC (11-4 overall, 2-0 in the SLC) led nearly the entire game, trailing only in the opening four minutes. The outcome ended the eighth-longest active homecourt streak in NCAA Division I basketball as the Demons were beaten at home for the first time since the end of the 2004-05 season. It was the first regular-season defeat at home for NSU (6-9, 1-2) in 24 games, dating back to a Feb. 3, 2005 loss to SLC rival Lamar. The Demons fell 49-41 to Southeastern Louisiana in Prather Coliseum in the 2005 SLC Tournament championship game before being one of only eight teams nationally to go unbeaten at home in 2005-06 (14-0) and winning their first four home appearances this season. Playing in Prather for the first time in 37 days, Northwestern got 11 points by Kennan Jones and 10 from Colby Bargeman. The Demons shot only 39 percent from the field and 55 percent (12-22) on free throws. The Islanders outscored the Demons 34-22 inside and posted a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers. TAMCC sank 44 percent of its shots overall, posted a 38-35 rebounding edge and made 18 steals. Both teams had 23 turnovers. "That was a very good basketball team, well coached, playing a very solid game, and unfortunately I am talking about the visiting team tonight," said Demons coach Mike McConathy. "They earned the win. We just couldnt overcome our own struggles and they took advantage of the mistakes we made time after time." Leading 27-26 late in the first half, TAMCC stretched its margin to 36-29 at halftime. The Demons moved back within 38-35 early in the second half but missed four straight shots on two successive possessions after forcing Islanders turnovers. TAMCCs Washington hit a 3-pointer and a layup, followed by a 3-pointer from teammate Josh Ervin to build the games biggest lead at that point, 46-35 with 15:38 remaining. Northwestern never got closer han eight points afterward. The Islanders held at least a 10 point advantage over the final 6:17 and twice were up by as much as 14. The Demons, who are still a gaudy 33-3 at home in Prather Coliseum over the past three seasons, continue a three-game homestand Saturday afternoon at 2 against Texas-San Antonio.