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March Madness' Return Celebrated by Fans as Texas A&M CC Beats SEMO in First Four

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 15, 2023

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 14: Jalen Jackson #4 of the Texas A&M-CC Islanders collides with Phillip Russell #1 of the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks during the first half in the First Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 14, 2023 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi kicked off the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with a 75-71 win over Southeastern Missouri State in the First Four on Tuesday from Dayton, Ohio.

This game was won (and lost) at the free-throw line. The Islanders made 27-of-35 free throws and found themselves there frequently because of 31 SEMO fouls. Meanwhile, the Redhawks went just 9-of-20 from the free-throw line en route to the four-point loss.

Jalen Jackson led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 22 points, and Isaac Mushila posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double. For Southeastern Missouri State, Chris Harris led the way with 23 points.

The Islanders led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but SEMO fought back to tie the game at 64. However, Jackson made seven free throws down the stretch, including two from Jackson to give the Islanders a 74-71 lead. Phillip Russell had a good look from three with two seconds left for the tie, but the shot did not fall.

Overall, it was an exciting start to the tournament, and fans were happy for it and what's to come as well.

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello

66 more like that, please. (Maybe fewer fouls.)

March Madness' Return Celebrated by Fans as Texas A&M CC Beats SEMO in First Four
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Fabulous M.J ⚡️🦂 @Norulesw00

This first four game is nuts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstFour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FirstFour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Tyler Marlowe @TylerMarlowe

Tournament off to a great start!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Antoine Palmer @ADPalmer84

Great game on right now!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Jay Jones, M.B.A. @ThePhenomPlays

THIS GAME IS NUTS AND ITS ONLY GAME 1! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Chris Infante @iamchrisinfante

If this first four game is any indication on the NCAA Tournament, this should be a doozy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Andy Lancaster @AndyAlancaster

Fun opening game.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

Michael Remeikis @reMIKEis

The First Four is once again delivering from the start to no one's surprise! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

B1GTrojans @B1GTrojans

Any time the First Four come down the wire, it's a tell-tale sign it's going to be a really good tournament <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

The rest of the First Four continues Tuesday with Pitt playing Mississippi State.

On Wednesday, Fairleigh Dickinson will play Texas Southern at 6:30 p.m. ET while Nevada takes on Arizona State afterward.

The Round of 64 begins Thursday with West Virginia facing Maryland. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi now finds itself there and will play No. 1 Alabama in the Round of 64.

Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.

Make your picks: Play the NCAA March Madness Men's Bracket Challenge and Tournament Run.

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