Brunswick, Ga. – With senior forward Jamaal Rhodes threatening to break Coastal Georgia single-game records, the College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team defeated Brewton-Parker 92-84 Saturday afternoon at Howard Coffin Gym in a key Southern States Athletic Conference contest.
Rhodes put on a shooting clinic in the opening half, drilling eight three-point shots and putting up 28 points before halftime to carry the Mariners to a 56-42 lead at the halftime break.
Rhodes would finish the game scoring 35 points to come up five points shy of Reggie Burke's single-game record of 40 points.
Rhodes added another three-point basket after halftime to finish with nine threes for the game, which was just one off the single-game mark of 10 which is also held by Burke.
Others shouldered the scoring load in the second half for the Mariners (8-17 overall, 4-9 SSAC) including the SSAC's leading scorer Dominic Early who finished with 18 points and Marquice Jones who followed with 13.
Rhodes also led the Mariners on the glass as he finished with seven rebounds. Corey Harris dished out eight assists including several on made threes by Rhodes.
Coastal Georgia built its lead to 66-46 early in the second half before seeing the Barons (7-15, 3-10) claw their way back as the visitors took advantage of Mariners' turnovers to pull within 80-76 with just over six minutes to play.
Following a timeout by Coastal Georgia assistant coach Tommy Yancey – who steered the Mariners Saturday in the absence of head coach Jesse Watkins – the Mariners went on a quick spurt that included a triple by Rhodes to once again increase their lead to double-digits at 86-76.
The Mariners were never threatened again as they finished out the win.
The Barons had four players post double-figure scoring totals including Michael Volley who led the team with 17 points.
Also for the visitors, Thierry Lynn recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
For the game, both teams shot an identical 54.7 percent from the field as both teams were also 35-of-64 shooting for the afternoon.
The Mariners made 11 triples – Early and Jones both had one – while the Barons made six.
Coastal Georgia was 11-of-14 at the foul line. The Barons were 8-of-10.
Coastal Georgia will remain at home for SSAC games next week against defending NAIA national champion Dalton State on Thursday and Middle Georgia State on Saturday as the Mariners look to lock up one of the final spots in the league tournament at the end of the season. The Mariners lost to both teams just last week on the road.
Next Saturday's game is the annual Homecoming contest.
