Brunswick, Ga. – The College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team came up on the short end of a 63-58 score Friday night versus Blue Mountain as the Mariners made their appearance since coming back from their Christmas break.

Playing the Toppers in a Southern States Athletic Conference affair, the Mariners (3-11 overall, 1-2 conference) couldn't overcome a late flurry by the Toppers (7-5, 2-1) in a low-scoring game in which the largest lead by either team was six points by the Mariners in the opening half.

Blue Mountain trailed 55-54 with 2:35 to go when it scored the game's next five points over the next minute for a 59-54 lead. The Toppers got a three-point shot from Stefan Vukovic to go in front 57-55, and after a missed foul shot by the Mariners on the front end of a one-and-one, Vladimir Filipovic scored from close range to give the visitors their sudden four-point cushion with 1:30 to go.

The Mariners weren't done just yet, however. Andrew Reid drilled a three-pointer from the corner on Coastal Georgia's next possession to make it 59-58 and the Mariners got a quick steal which led to a foul by the Toppers to prevent a possible breakaway basket by Coastal Georgia.

Again, though, Coastal Georgia misfired on the first free throw in another one-on-one situation, and Blue Mountain's Shane Butler would score on a driving layup on the other end for a 61-58 advantage with now just 27 seconds left.

Coastal Georgia's Reggie Burke tried to take a three-point shot for the Mariners to tie the score on their next trip, but the senior guard lost the handle as he also tried to draw contact from his defender and the Toppers came away the loose ball and got a breakaway basket by C.J Barnes to make for the final five-point margin.

Burke scored 17 points to lead the Mariners. Andrew Reid followed with 15 and Michael Matta added 10 to round out the team's twin-figure scorers.

Filipovic finished with a double-double for the Toppers, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 boards.

Butler finished with 13 points for the visitors while DeAundre Smith added 10.

Coastal Georgia is back at home Saturday for a SSAC meeting with Bethel (11-4, 2-2) which fell 68-65 Friday at Brewton-Parker.