Rio Grande, OH - Coastal Georgia put together a dominant second-half performance Tuesday night at Newt Oliver Arena in Rio Grande, Ohio, pulling away from Cornerstone (MI) for a convincing 109-83 victory. The Mariners improved to 11-3 on the season, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 5-8 overall.
After a tight first quarter that saw Cornerstone take a 25-19 lead, the Mariners found their rhythm and never looked back. Coastal Georgia outscored the visitors 27-14 in the second quarter to grab a 46-39 halftime advantage, then completely took control with a blistering 36-20 third quarter that broke the game open.
The Mariners received balanced scoring from six players reaching double figures. Abby Shepard led the charge with 22 points on an efficient 7-for-15 shooting performance, including a scorching 6-for-12 from beyond the arc. The sharp-shooting guard came up big throughout the night, consistently knocking down crucial three-pointers to extend the lead.
Alli Stone provided a major spark off the bench, pouring in 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding six rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. Her ability to attack the basket and finish through contact was instrumental in the Mariners' second-half surge.
Paris Miller and Hadiya Kennerly each contributed 15 and 13 points respectively, while Taylor Blackshear also chipped in 13 points on a near-perfect 6-of-7 shooting night. Amanda Roach added 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while helping control the paint.
The Mariners' offensive efficiency was impressive across the board, shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 43.2 percent from three-point range while converting 16 treys. Their third quarter proved particularly devastating, as they shot 66.7 percent from both the field and from distance during the decisive frame.
Coastal Georgia's bench depth proved to be a significant advantage, with reserves contributing 35 points compared to just 20 for Cornerstone. Niya Moon added 10 points and four assists off the bench, while Ana Baptista provided solid minutes throughout the contest.
Defensively, the Mariners forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 32 points, showcasing their ability to create transition opportunities. They also dominated the paint with 44 points in the lane and outrebounded Cornerstone 43-47 despite the Golden Eagles' offensive glass work.
Julie Ashbaugh and Jaxi Long tried to keep Cornerstone competitive, combining for 57 points, with Ashbaugh scoring 30 on an impressive 10-of-12 shooting performance. However, their efforts weren't enough to overcome the Mariners' balanced attack and second-half execution.
The victory continues Coastal Georgia's strong season as they build momentum heading into the heart of their schedule. The Mariners' ability to wear down opponents with their depth and shoot efficiently from the perimeter makes them a formidable opponent as conference play continues.
