The Coastal Georgia Mariners overcame a sluggish first half to defeat Keiser 68-59 on Wednesday evening in West Palm Beach, Florida, riding a dominant third-quarter performance to secure the road conference victory.
Trailing 29-25 at halftime after struggling offensively through the first 20 minutes, the Mariners exploded for 27 points in the third quarter while holding Keiser to just 16, turning a four-point deficit into a 52-45 advantage heading into the final period. The third-quarter surge was fueled by exceptional shooting, as Coastal Georgia connected on 9-of-19 from the field, including an impressive 5-of-9 from three-point range.
Abby Shepard led the Mariners with 14 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Coming off the bench, Shepard provided crucial scoring punch throughout the game, hitting timely three-pointers that kept the Seahawks at bay. Her ability to stretch the floor and knock down open shots was instrumental in the Mariners' offensive rhythm, particularly during the decisive third quarter.
Hadiya Kennerly and Niya Moon each added 12 points for Coastal Georgia. Kennerly finished 4-of-12 from the field while converting 4-of-5 free throws, also contributing three rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes of action. Moon provided a spark with her perimeter shooting, going 4-of-8 from three-point range while adding three rebounds and two assists. Her four three-pointers helped open up driving lanes and kept Keiser's defense honest throughout the contest.
Taylor Blackshear was crucial in multiple facets, scoring 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting while pulling down a team-high nine rebounds. Blackshear also dished out five assists and recorded two steals and a block, showcasing her all-around game. Her presence on the glass was vital, as she grabbed two offensive boards that led to second-chance opportunities. Blackshear was particularly effective in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points to help seal the victory.
Maylei Noreika provided valuable minutes off the bench, contributing seven points on 2-of-5 shooting, including 1-of-3 from three-point range. Noreika also grabbed three rebounds and blocked a shot in 17 minutes of action, providing solid play when called upon.
Amanda Roach struggled offensively, finishing with just four points on 1-of-9 shooting, but made up for it on the glass with a stellar rebounding performance. Roach pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, including four offensive boards, and dished out four assists. Her work on the boards was essential in limiting Keiser's second-chance opportunities and creating additional possessions for the Mariners.
The Mariners dominated the glass, outrebounding Keiser 42-45 despite being outrebounded overall, and turned those opportunities into 16 second-chance points compared to just six for the Seahawks. Coastal Georgia also held a slight edge in points off turnovers, converting Keiser's 21 miscues into 13 points while committing just 11 turnovers themselves.
Defensively, the Mariners tightened up significantly after halftime, holding Keiser to just 37.9 percent shooting for the game and a paltry 18.2 percent from three-point range. The Seahawks went 0-for-8 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter as Coastal Georgia closed out the game effectively.
Keiser was led by Emelia O'Gilvie's 15 points off the bench on 7-of-14 shooting. Avrie Schmidt added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Satori Griffin and Aly Avrach each contributed 13 points. However, the Seahawks couldn't overcome their poor three-point shooting and inability to contain the Mariners' third-quarter surge.
The victory improves Coastal Georgia's record to 14-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play as they continue their road swing. The win was crucial for the Mariners, who showed resilience and the ability to adjust after a slow start. The third-quarter dominance demonstrated the team's potential when shots are falling and the defense is locked in, providing a blueprint for success moving forward.
