Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tops Louisiana-Lafayette
Binael Basil and Daniel Michelini-Jackson led the Islanders to a 67-60 road win over the Ragin' Cajuns on Friday.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 67-60 on Friday in Lafayette, Louisiana. Jamyron Keller scored 19 points for the Ragin' Cajuns, while Binael Basil added 14 points and six rebounds for the Islanders.
Why it matters
The win lifts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to 1-1 on the young season, while Louisiana-Lafayette drops to 0-2. Both programs are early in their campaigns, and the result gives the Islanders an early road victory to build on.
Daniel Michelini-Jackson shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, and made 4 of 5 free throws. Desmond Kent Jr. shot 3 of 8 overall, going 1 of 3 from deep and 3 of 3 at the line.
The players
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
The Islanders are the NCAA Division I athletic program of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, competing in the Southland Conference.
Louisiana-Lafayette
The Ragin' Cajuns are the NCAA Division I athletic program of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, competing in the Sun Belt Conference.
The details
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi won on the road at Lafayette, Louisiana, behind balanced scoring from Basil, Michelini-Jackson and Kent Jr. Keller and Mekhi Cooper led Louisiana-Lafayette, with Cooper adding four assists and De'Vion Lavergne contributing nine points and two steals.
Timeline
Friday: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeats Louisiana-Lafayette 67-60.
Monday: Louisiana hosts Southern University at New Orleans.
Tuesday: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hosts Dallas Christian.
Season Trajectory
Early-season results like this one set initial seeding and conference positioning for both programs within the NCAA Division I men's basketball calendar. A 1-1 start for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi keeps its non-conference slate on track, while Louisiana-Lafayette's 0-2 start leaves it searching for its first win of the year.
For fantasy and bracket watchers, Basil's 14-point, six-rebound line and Cooper's four assists are the immediate numbers to track in early-season box scores. Fans planning to attend can look to the Islanders' home opener Tuesday against Dallas Christian.
The takeaway
Early wins on the road can shape a team's confidence and seeding as the season develops. Watch the box scores of the Islanders' next home games to see whether the balanced scoring from this win continues.
What happens next
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hosts Dallas Christian on Tuesday, and Louisiana hosts Southern University at New Orleans on Monday.
Further reading
For more coverage of the Islanders' early season, see Basketball in Corpus Christi.
