Preston Crisp delivered the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer as the Coastal Georgia Mariners pulled off a thrilling 91-88 road victory over Georgia Gwinnett on Tuesday night.
With the game tied at 88-88 and the clock winding down, Crisp caught a pass from Braden Wood and drained the clutch three-pointer as time expired, sending the Mariners' bench into celebration and securing a dramatic non-conference win. The shot capped off an outstanding performance by Crisp, who finished with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
The game featured five ties and seven lead changes, with neither team able to pull away. The Mariners took a 38-36 lead into halftime behind Crisp's 11 first-half points, but the second half turned into a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final possession.
Coastal Georgia's bench proved to be the difference, outscoring Georgia Gwinnett's reserves 48-27. Jeremiah Camara led the way off the bench with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including several crucial baskets down the stretch. Camara also added four rebounds and drew an important foul with 49 seconds remaining, hitting both free throws to bring the Mariners within two at 86-88.
After a Georgia Gwinnett miss, Camara tied the game at 88-88 with a jumper with 13 seconds left, setting the stage for Crisp's heroics. Following a timeout, the Mariners' defense forced a missed jumper by Deonte' Martinez, and Wood secured the rebound before finding Crisp for the game-winner.
Khylan McKennie added nine points and three assists off the bench, while Kycen Pruett contributed eight points, including two critical three-pointers in the second half. Kaden McArthur chipped in eight points in 16 minutes of action.
The Mariners shot an impressive 63.6 percent from the field in the second half, including 6-of-12 from three-point range, after a solid 42.4 percent first half. For the game, Coastal Georgia finished at 53 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Aamir Mack added eight points and five rebounds for the Mariners, while Derrick Harris scored eight points in just 15 minutes, hitting both of his second-half three-point attempts. Braden Wood, despite scoring just five points, made crucial contributions with six assists, five rebounds, and the game-winning assist to Crisp.
The Mariners dominated in the paint, outscoring Georgia Gwinnett 42-38 in that area, while also converting 14 points off turnovers. Coastal Georgia's ability to generate second-chance opportunities proved vital, as they scored 12 second-chance points compared to Georgia Gwinnett's seven.
Georgia Gwinnett was led by Jahiem Berry's 28 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting performance, including 8-of-12 from three-point range. Stephon Martin added 13 points before fouling out late, while Drew Kramer contributed 12 points and six rebounds. However, the Grizzlies couldn't overcome their bench being outscored by 21 points or their struggles at the free-throw line down the stretch.
The dramatic victory improves Coastal Georgia's record to 8-10 overall as they continue to build momentum. The Mariners' resilience and composure in crunch time, combined with Crisp's clutch shooting, showcased the team's ability to win tight games on the road. The buzzer-beater will surely be remembered as one of the season's most exciting moments for the Mariners.
