BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Coastal Georgia delivered one of its most complete and inspired performances of the season Saturday afternoon, pushing No. 8 Ave Maria to overtime before falling 96–91 in a matchup that featured grit, balanced scoring, and several breakout efforts across the Mariners roster.
From the opening tip, Coastal showed they were ready for the moment. The Mariners traded blows with the nationally ranked Gyrenes throughout the first half, knocking down seven threes, attacking the paint, and getting key production from both starters and bench contributors. After 20 minutes, the game was deadlocked at 43–43—setting the stage for a second half that was just as competitive.
Derrick "Mannie" Harris once again set the tone offensively, pouring in 26 points on a sharp 6-for-10 from three while adding five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Harris provided timely scoring throughout the afternoon, including several momentum-changing threes and four points in the overtime period.
Kycean Pruett stepped up in a major way, matching Harris' perimeter shooting with 14 points on 4-of-9 from deep. He played 35 strong minutes, stretching the defense and helping keep the Mariners' offense spaced and fluid against Ave Maria's length.
Isaiah Edden turned in one of his most efficient all-around performances of the year, finishing with 13 points, five assists, five rebounds, and just one turnover. Edden hit three threes—including two in the first half—and played a pivotal role in breaking Ave Maria's defensive pressure.
Inside, Coastal Georgia found consistent production from its frontcourt.
Jeremiah Camara recorded a double-double, securing 11 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals and two blocks. His presence around the rim sparked multiple defensive stops and transition opportunities.
Off the bench, Khylan McKennie delivered 11 points, going 3-for-4 from the field and a perfect 4-for-6 at the line. His spark in the first half helped the Mariners build an early lead, and his rebounding late in the second half kept Coastal within striking distance.
Aamir Mack added eight points and five rebounds, battling inside and converting timely buckets in the paint. Braden Wood and Alexandre Zambonetti also contributed important minutes, with Zambonetti knocking down five free throws and Wood providing a defensive lift on the perimeter.
As a team, Coastal Georgia shot 45.2% from three (14-of-31) and posted 25 bench points, significantly outpacing Ave Maria's reserves. The Mariners also matched the Gyrenes on the glass (36 rebounds) and finished with 20 assists, showcasing strong ball movement and execution.
In overtime, the Mariners generated good looks but struggled to convert, shooting just 1-for-11 from the field. Even so, Coastal continued to compete on every possession, getting late free throws from Harris and McKennie while trying to extend the game.
Despite the final score, the performance marked one of Coastal Georgia's strongest of the season—going toe-to-toe with a top-10 opponent for all 45 minutes and proving the Mariners are trending upward behind their improving offensive rhythm and growing depth.
