COLUMBIA, S.C. — The College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team earned an impressive 93–82 win over Columbia College (S.C.) on Friday night, using a dominant first half and balanced team effort to secure their second victory of the season. The Mariners improved to 2–3 overall behind an explosive offensive performance that featured sharp shooting from all areas of the floor.
From the opening tip, Coastal Georgia took command of the game with efficient shooting and disciplined ball movement. The Mariners poured in 54 first-half points, shooting nearly 56% from the field and over 61% from three-point range. The early offensive surge built a 21-point lead at the break, 54–33, putting the Koalas on their heels and forcing them to play from behind the rest of the way.
Senior guard Derrick "Mannie" Harris once again led the charge for Coastal Georgia, delivering a complete performance with 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Harris shot a blistering 7-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from deep while converting all six of his free throws. His ability to score efficiently and control the tempo helped the Mariners maintain separation whenever Columbia attempted to rally.
Off the bench, Alexandre Zambonetti was a difference-maker, scoring 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting in just 23 minutes. He added two rebounds and an assist while providing steady offense in key stretches of both halves. Aamir Mack also came through with 10 points, two assists, and two steals, showing his knack for making momentum-changing plays on both ends.
The Mariners' starting frontcourt contributed in key ways as well. Jeremiah Camara scored nine points and pulled down five rebounds, attacking the glass against a physical Columbia front line. Isaiah Edden hit a pair of threes and added eight points, while Thaddeus Burns and Kycean Pruett combined for solid defensive minutes and timely buckets. Braden Wood provided a steady presence in the backcourt, finishing with nine points, four assists, and two made three-pointers, helping the Mariners maintain rhythm against Columbia's pressure.
As a team, Coastal Georgia showcased impressive efficiency, finishing the night shooting 53.3% from the field, 52.4% from three-point range, and 94.7% from the free throw line (18-of-19). The Mariners also won the rebounding battle 36–26 and received a major boost from their bench, which accounted for 43 of the team's 93 points.
Defensively, Coastal Georgia held Columbia to 44% shooting in the first half and limited second-chance opportunities with strong rebounding from Harris, Camara, and the reserves. Though the Koalas mounted a second-half surge behind hot shooting, Coastal's composure and clutch free-throw shooting kept the game out of reach.
Columbia was led by Tae Burton, who finished with a game-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, while Nakia Johnson scored 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Despite cutting the margin to single digits late, Columbia was unable to overcome the Mariners' balanced attack and early deficit.
With the win, Coastal Georgia moves to 2–3 on the season and picks up valuable momentum heading into the next stretch of play. The Mariners will look to build on their strong offensive performance when they return to action tomorrow against Columbia International!
