Late Second half run leads the Bears to the Victory !

Saturday, November 16, 2024: Men's Basketball
Bay Minette, AL

Today at Jack Robertson Arena on the campus of Coastal Alabama South, the Baton Rouge Bears decisively defeated the Coastal Alabama North Coyotes with a score of 72-66, showcasing their resilience and skill, particularly in the final minutes of the game. Freshman guard Dylan Dominique led the charge with a critical late-game performance.

The contest began with intense back-and-forth action, featuring five ties and five lead changes within the first seven minutes. After reaching a 12-12 stalemate, the Bears surged ahead with a dominant 16-9 run, establishing a 28-21 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Coyotes fought back, closing the half with a 10-5 run, but the Bears remained ahead, 33-31, at halftime. While the first half was marked by a lack of offensive rhythm, the Bears maintained their composure.

The second half replicated the first in intensity, with both teams exchanging leads. In the opening five minutes, there were four ties and four lead changes. The Bears' bench played a pivotal role, particularly Cardez Norman and DesMonte Gradney, who propelled the team forward with five consecutive points after the game was tied at 39, pushing the Bears to a 46-41 lead. The Coyotes briefly took control at 55-53 with a basket at the 7:22 mark, but the Bears were undeterred.

As the clock ticked down, scoring continued to oscillate until the Coyotes managed to tie the game at 65-65 with just 1:47 left. At this clutch moment, Dylan Dominique stepped up for the Bears, sinking a challenging shot in the paint followed by a precise mid-range jumper, giving the Bears a commanding five-point lead. They held that advantage firm until the final buzzer, allowing the Coyotes only one point in the last 1:47.

Courtney McCarthy was the standout performer for the Bears, finishing with 13 points, while four other players also reached double figures. Ozell Purifoy led the Coyotes with a game-high 18 points, supported by three teammates who joined him in scoring double digits.

With this important victory, the Bears now boast a record of 3-1, while the Coyotes slip to 3-3 for the season. This encounter marked the inaugural meeting between the Bears and Coyotes in their respective program histories, and the Bears have taken an early lead in the series at 1-0.

Bears Highlights:
Courtney McCarthy led all Bears with 13 points, 2 assists, 1 steal
McKennis Savoie added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Christian Myers and Chad Jones each scored 10 points
Dylan Dominique dished out 6 assists

The Bears will continue their road swing on Monday, November 18, on the first day of the Southwest Mississippi Coca-Cola Classic. The Bears will take on Hinds Community College at 3 pm in Summit, MS.

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