Brunswick, Ga. – The College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team couldn't stop a hot Middle Georgia State squad on Saturday at Howard Coffin Gym, losing 92-77 to the Knights on their home floor.
The Southern States Athletic Conference win was the sixth win in eight games this month for the Knights who are newcomers to the SSAC this season after playing previously in Georgia's junior-college ranks in the same league that the Mariners played in before they jumped to the four-year level four years ago. The Knights had lost five in a row to end the month of December.
The loss dropped the Mariners to 4-16 for the season and 2-7 in league games. The Knights improved record to 9-10 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
After leading 47-46 at intermission, the Knights took charge early in the second half. The teams were tied 51-51 almost two minutes into the second stanza when Middle Georgia went on a 14-0 run to take a 65-51 lead with 13:51 to go.
The Mariners did make a run to get within 69-62 with 10:30 to go, but the Knights pulled away again and would build a 20-point cushion just before the game reached the final minute.
The Knights shot 56.3 in the second half, making 18 of their 32 field-goal attempts. They finished shooting 47.1 percent for the contest. They also were solid from the foul line, hitting 20 of their 24 charity shots.
Middle Georgia placed three players in twin numbers with Ryan Wilkins scoring a game-high 21 points to lead the charge. Corey Reid recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Coastal Georgia finished shooting just 37.8 percent (28-74) after shooting better than 44 percent in the first half. Michael Matta led the Mariners with 18 points while Reggie Burke scored 16 and Jamaal Rhodes added 12.
Burke also led the Mariners with 11 boards to notch a double-double in the loss.
The Knights controlled the backboards, getting 53 rebounds to 39 by the Mariners. They also committed just 10 turnovers while the Mariners had 17.
Coastal Georgia goes to Montgomery, Ala., next week for games at Auburn-Montgomery on Thursday and Faulkner on Saturday.
