JACK ROBERTSON ARENA | BAY MINETTE, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - South Men's Basketball battled through two high-scoring matchups inside Jack Robertson Arena but came up short in both contests at the Coastal Alabama Classic, falling to Northwest Mississippi on Thursday night, Nov. 20 and Mississippi Gulf Coast on Friday afternoon, Nov. 21.
The pair of losses moves Coastal - South's overall record 2-7 despite scoring over 100 points in each of the last three games played.
Game 1: Northwest Mississippi 113, Coastal Alabama - South 110
In a back-and-forth offensive showcase, Coastal Alabama - South topped the 100-point mark for the second time this season but ultimately fell 113-110 in a high-tempo shootout against Northwest Mississippi. The Coyotes shot an impressive 50.6% from the field and recorded 33 assists as a team, with the Coyotes coming off a record showing 155-point and 56.6% performance last time out.
Josh Williams led the way with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, adding seven rebounds, three assists, and a game-high five steals. Makhi Jones delivered a strong performance from off the bench with 21 points and seven boards, while AJ Thompson posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists.
Coastal - South held a slim 55-49 lead at halftime, but Northwest Mississippi's 64-point second half powered the Rangers ahead late. Despite four Coyotes scoring in double figures and a 48-45 rebounding advantage, Coastal - South was unable to withstand Northwest's 12 made three-pointers and 29 total assists.
Game 2: Mississippi Gulf Coast 109, Coastal Alabama – South 102
The Coyotes once again found themselves in a shootout, but Mississippi Gulf Coast pulled away late to hand Coastal - South a 109-102 loss in the final game of the Classic. The Bulldogs capitalized at the free-throw line, finishing 40-of-65 from the stripe, while also winning the rebounding battle, 48-37.
Josh Williams followed his stellar Thursday performance with another standout outing, scoring a season-high 34 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including eight made three-pointers. Williams now sits second in the ACCC, averaging over 21 points per game. Meanwhile, Jaden Champion added 17 points, four assists, and three steals, and Makhi Jones recorded 18 points and a team-best 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Coastal Alabama - South matched Mississippi Gulf Coast shot-for-shot from the perimeter, hitting 14 threes and shooting 42.4 percent from deep, but foul trouble became a major factor as Mississippi Gulf Coast attempted 65 free throws compared to Coastal's 43.
Weekend Summary / Back in Action in December
Across two games, Coastal - South averaged 106 points per contest, shot 47% from the field, and saw breakout offensive stretches from Williams, Jones, and Champion. However, defensive lapses and free-throw disparities proved costly against two experienced opponents.
Coastal Alabama - South returns to action next week in continued non-conference play, set to resume the season on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Pensacola State College (Fla.) in Pensacola, Fla. Next Thursday's game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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