MOUNT VERNON – Coastal Georgia (9-2, 2-1) held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from Brewton-Parker to escape with a 90-86 victory on Thursday evening in a game that came down to the final seconds.

The Mariners led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter but had to withstand a determined Brewton-Parker squad that shot over 50% from the field and refused to go away quietly.

Taylor Blackshear and Abby Shepard led a balanced offensive attack with 20 and 18 points respectively, while the bench contributed a crucial 39 points in the hard-fought conference victory. The win moves Coastal Georgia to 2-1 in conference play as they continue to build momentum in the early season.

The game was a tale of two halves for the Mariners' shooting performance. After struggling mightily in the second quarter, connecting on just 15.8% from the field and 12.5% from three-point range, Coastal Georgia found their offensive rhythm when it mattered most. The team shot 40.7% in the decisive fourth quarter and made critical free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Blackshear was efficient throughout the contest, finishing 6-of-14 from the floor while adding six assists and seven rebounds. She consistently attacked the basket and got to the free-throw line, converting 6-of-10 attempts. Her ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and teammates kept Brewton-Parker's defense honest all night.

Shepard provided the perimeter threat the Mariners needed, going 6-of-16 from three-point range. While her shot selection was aggressive, she hit several crucial triples in the fourth quarter that helped maintain Coastal Georgia's lead as Brewton-Parker mounted their comeback. Her seven rebounds also contributed to the team's effort on the glass.

The bench production proved vital in securing the victory. Niya Moon came off the bench to score 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-12 from beyond the arc. Her energy and scoring punch provided important minutes when starters needed rest. Alli Stone added 12 efficient points on 5-of-12 shooting, while Iesha Rhodin chipped in seven points and grabbed six rebounds, including five on the offensive glass that led to second-chance opportunities.

Coastal Georgia's ability to get to the free-throw line was a significant factor in the outcome. The Mariners attempted 30 free throws compared to Brewton-Parker's 31, converting at a 66.7% clip. More importantly, they made their free throws when the game was on the line, hitting clutch attempts in the final minute to seal the victory.

The Mariners dominated points off turnovers, scoring 46 points compared to Brewton-Parker's 14. Coastal Georgia forced 38 turnovers while committing just 21 themselves, showcasing their defensive pressure and ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes. The fast-break points advantage of 14-4 demonstrated how effectively they converted those turnovers into easy scoring opportunities.

Brewton-Parker proved to be a formidable opponent despite their 0-9 record entering the game. The Barons shot an impressive 50% from the field and 47.8% from three-point range, led by Chasity Degale and Andranique Stewart who each scored 20 and 18 points respectively. Stewart was particularly dominant on the boards with 17 rebounds, creating numerous second-chance opportunities for her team.

The game featured four lead changes and was tied four times, with neither team able to pull away until the final moments. Coastal Georgia's largest lead of five points in the fourth quarter came with just 32 seconds remaining, illustrating just how competitive the contest remained throughout.

The fourth quarter was particularly tense as Brewton-Parker hit several three-pointers to keep the game within reach. Jakayla Peeples connected on two critical triples late in the period, cutting what had been a comfortable Coastal Georgia lead down to just two points with seconds remaining. The Mariners had to execute perfectly at the free-throw line and on their final possessions to secure the victory.

Coastal Georgia's persistence and composure in the closing minutes proved to be the difference. After struggling through the second quarter where they managed just 16 points, the team regrouped and played with more urgency in the second half. The coaching staff's adjustments and the players' ability to execute under pressure allowed them to weather Brewton-Parker's rally and come away with the win.