BRUNSWICK, Ga. - On a late second half layup, the ABAC Stallions defeated the College of Coastal Georgia Mariners 67-65 in a close match up Saturday night inside Coffin Gym.

With the game tied at 65, Matthew Mairena converted a tough fall away layup with five seconds remaining in the game to break the Mariners (5-6, 2-1 SUN) heart in their final home game of the 2024 half of their season.  

After Kaden McArthur started the game with a layup, the Mariners proceeded to start the game on a 9-0 run over the first four minutes of game time, using shots made by D'Andre Jefferson and Thaddeus Burns to increase their lead. The Mariners held off the Stallions (6-7, 1-1 SSAC) until Mairena made a three pointer, making the score 9-3. After back-to-back shots made by Mairena, the Stallions stole the lead by one point and were able to keep the lead thanks to four points from Xavier Boyd. The Mariners narrowed that lead with a layup by Valdy Zephir, but were not able to even the score. With 2:58 left on the clock, Nate Mobley made back-to-back layups to make the score 31-22. After a minute of scoreless action, Jefferson found his way to the free throw line where he converted both attempts to make the score 31-24 with just under two to play. Over the next 1:50 of game time, neither side found the basket, sending the Stallions into the locker room with a seven point lead. 

Jefferson and McAuthur led the Mariners scoring seven points each at the half, with Jefferson adding a team leading five rebounds to his tally. D'ontaye Strawter finished the half with two points and four rebounds as well. 

Starting the second half, the Mariners narrowed the Stallions lead to one point with two back-to-back three pointers by Zephir. Shortly after, the Mariners tied the game with a layup from Strawter and took the lead with help from Burns. Fighting back, Tommie Hall made a three pointer to make the score 39-36. Hall continued to score, increasing the Stalltons lead by 12 points in the middle of the second half. With 9:35 left in the game, McAuthur buried a three which was quickly followed by a three pointer by T.J. Smith. With 7:48 left on the clock in the second half, Mairena made a three point shot to increase the Stallion's lead to 13 points. Later in the half, the Mariners stormed back, scoring eight consecutive points from Zephir, Jeremiah Camara, and McAuthur to make the score 63-62 with 2:20 to play. Matas Aidietis increased the Stallions lead to three with a layup, making the score 65-62. Later in the half, Zephir was fouled and went to the line to close the Stallions lead, but went 1-2 from the line. Camara was in the right place at the right time for CCGA, grabbing the missed second free throw and laying the ball in to tie the game. With the game coming down to the final seconds, Mairena made a fall away  layup with five seconds on the clock to give ABAC a two point lead. 

CCGA got the ball inbounds and ABAC used their foul to give, but with 1.4 seconds on the clock, McArthur was unable to get a shot off, ending the game with the Stallions securing the two point, 67-65 victory. 

Zephir led the Mariners with 19 points, a new career high, while adding eight rebounds. McArthur followed with 16 points and a pair of assists.

The Mariners will prepare to end their 2024 slate of games with an exhibition on Monday night against Lander.  Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. from Greenwood, S.C.