Late Surge Lifts Coastal Carolina Past South Alabama, 63–59
Game Recap
Coastal Carolina earned a gritty 63–59 Sun Belt Conference victory over South Alabama on Saturday, rallying late to close out a competitive conference matchup.
The Chanticleers set the tone early, taking a 15–10 lead after the first quarter behind strong defensive pressure and efficient perimeter shooting. South Alabama responded in the second quarter, slowing the pace and controlling the glass, but Coastal Carolina held a narrow 24–21 advantage at halftime.
The Jaguars surged coming out of the locker room, finding success inside and on second-chance opportunities to grab a 50–48 lead at the end of the third quarter, setting up a tense final 10 minutes.
Coastal Carolina delivered its best stretch in the fourth quarter, locking in defensively and holding South Alabama to just nine points in the final frame. Timely free throws and clutch scoring allowed the Chanticleers to close out the 63–59 victory.
Player of the Game
Tessa Grady (Coastal Carolina)
Grady led the Chanticleers with 15 points, knocking down three three-pointers and providing a steady offensive presence throughout the game. Her shot-making helped keep Coastal Carolina within striking distance before the late comeback.
Paige Bradley also made a significant impact, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds while logging 39 minutes and anchoring Coastal Carolina on the boards.
Turnovers
Both teams committed 15 turnovers, but Coastal Carolina was more effective in converting those mistakes into points. The Chanticleers scored 11 points off turnovers, compared to seven for South Alabama, a margin that proved critical in a four-point game.
Penalties and Tempo
The contest was physical throughout, with South Alabama committing 26 fouls and Coastal Carolina 22. Both teams shot 67% from the free-throw line, but Coastal Carolina’s higher volume (18-of-27) proved decisive.
The tempo leaned toward a controlled half-court style. Coastal Carolina held a slight rebounding edge (41–38) and used that advantage to manage possessions late.
What’s Next for Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers improve to 9–10 overall and 2–5 in Sun Belt play. With momentum from a comeback win, Coastal Carolina will look to build consistency as conference action continues.
What’s Next for South Alabama
South Alabama falls to 9–8 overall and 2–5 in the Sun Belt. Despite the loss, the Jaguars showed resilience, particularly in the third quarter. Improving late-game execution and perimeter efficiency will be key moving forward.