For the second time in three weeks, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated a squad that entered the American Bank Center in first place in the Southland Conference Saturday night.

Led by John Jordan with 19 points and Bryce Douvier, the Islanders ended Sam Houston State's eight-game winning streak by a score of 61-59 in a Southland Conference men's basketball contest.

After the Bearkats' poorest shooting performance since a November non-conference road loss to Wofford, Sam Houston dropped to 22-6 for the year and 14-2 in league play. A&M-Corpus Christi upped its record to 16-12 for the season and 11-5 in Southland action.

The Kats shot 34 percent from the field (17-of-49) and committed 16 turnovers. Still, Sam Houston had its chances late in the game. After a three-point basket by Dovier put the Islanders ahead 50-47 with four minutes to play, the Kats never fell more than three points behind.

Following a defensive rebound by Jabari Peters, Kaheem Ransom missed a trey that would have put the Bearkats up by one with 21 seconds to play.

Paul Baxter led Sam Houston in scoring with 15 points while DeMarcus Gatlin added 14. Michael Holyfield scored eight points and led the Bearkats with 10 rebounds.

Seven minutes into the contest, the two teams stood locked in a 10-10 tie. A pair of baskets by Paul Baxter put Sam Houston up 18-12 with 8:39 to play in the half.

The Islanders fought back with a 16-5 run to take a 28-23 lead a minute before halftime. The two teams went into the locker room with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi up 30-27.

The Bearkats shot only 32 percent in the first half, hitting seven of 22 shots, and committed 12 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.

Baskets by Holyfield and Gatlin gave Sam Houston a 39-34 lead with 12:09 left in the game. The Kats and the Islanders were tied twice, at 46-46 with 6:01 to play and 47-47 a minute later.  Sam Houston cut the Islander lead to one point three times in the final two minutes.

Sam Houston State plays its final home game Monday night as they host Central Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats finish the Southland regular season on the road at Lamar on Thursday and at Stephen F. Austin Saturday.