The Coastal Georgia Mariners put together a commanding performance Tuesday night in Brunswick, defeating Abraham Baldwin 110-71 in non-conference action at home.
The Mariners wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping out to a 32-13 lead after the first quarter behind a balanced offensive attack. Coastal Georgia shot 40 percent from the field in the opening period while holding Abraham Baldwin to just 33.3 percent shooting and forcing 12 turnovers. The Mariners' defensive pressure set the tone early, as they created havoc in the passing lanes and converted those opportunities into easy baskets in transition.
After a slower second quarter where the Mariners managed just 16 points on 21.9 percent shooting, they regained their offensive rhythm in the second half. The third period saw Coastal Georgia pour in 31 points while shooting 36.4 percent from the field, outscoring the Golden Stallions 31-20 to extend their lead to 79-56 heading into the final frame. The Mariners closed out the game with another 31-point fourth quarter, shooting 42.4 percent from the floor to seal the 39-point victory and never allow Abraham Baldwin back into contention.
Nine different Mariners found the scoring column in the balanced offensive effort, led by Paris Miller's 18 points on 7-of-19 shooting. Miller was aggressive attacking the basket throughout her 22 minutes of action, also contributing five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Hadiya Kennerly and Alli Stone each added 15 points, with Stone pulling down seven rebounds despite battling foul trouble, and Kennerly adding four boards while playing solid defense.
Coming off the bench, Amanda Roach provided a tremendous spark with 16 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting performance. Roach was a constant threat in the paint and showed excellent court vision, adding six rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes. Her energy and production were crucial in maintaining the Mariners' momentum throughout the game.
Abby Shepard chipped in 13 points, including three three-pointers, showcasing her ability to stretch the floor and create spacing for her teammates. Kyla Raven contributed 10 points and five rebounds in her 20 minutes of play, while Taylor Blackshear added 10 points and pulled down a team-high 13 rebounds in a strong all-around performance. Iesha Rhodin added seven points and seven rebounds, and Niya Moon contributed six points.
The Mariners dominated in the paint, outscoring Abraham Baldwin 68-36 in that area while also capitalizing on turnovers to the tune of 50 points off 45 Abraham Baldwin giveaways. Coastal Georgia also held a significant edge on the glass, outrebounding the Golden Stallions 60-41, including 33 offensive rebounds that led to 32 second-chance points. The Mariners' ability to crash the offensive boards and create extra possessions was a key factor in the lopsided final score.
While the three-point shooting wasn't particularly sharp for either team, with Coastal Georgia finishing just 7-of-45 from beyond the arc, the Mariners made up for it with their dominance inside and ability to get to the free-throw line. The team converted 13 of 19 free throws while also forcing Abraham Baldwin into difficult situations throughout the contest.
The victory improves Coastal Georgia's record to 13-5 overall as they continue their strong season. The Mariners' bench contributed 42 points in the win, showcasing the team's depth and ability to get production from throughout the roster. With multiple players capable of stepping up on any given night, the Mariners demonstrated why they've been one of the more complete teams this season.
