CONWAY, S.C. — Coastal Carolina came up just short Thursday afternoon, dropping an 82–81 overtime decision to Georgia Southern at the HTC Center in its Sun Belt home opener.
Joshua Beadle scored 21 points and AJ Dancler and Rasheed Jones added 18 apiece for Coastal Carolina (8–7, 1–2 Sun Belt), which rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit and held a late lead in overtime before Georgia Southern’s Spudd Webb made 1-of-2 free throws with two seconds remaining to clinch the win.
The Chanticleers trailed 41–33 at the break but opened the second half on 10-2 run, tying the game at 43 on a DaJohn Craig three-pointer with 14:47 remaining. Coastal took its first lead of the half moments later when Dancler converted a three-point play, igniting a stretch that saw the lead change hands repeatedly down the stretch.
RaSheed Jones’ three-pointer with 1:47 remaining in regulation tied the game at 70-all, and neither team could find a winner in the closing seconds, sending the contest to overtime.
Coastal briefly took the lead in the extra period on two Beadle free throws with 1:25 remaining, but Georgia Southern (11-5, 3-0) answered from the stripe as Allen Applewhite tied the game with a free throw and 49 sescond remaining. The Chants came up empty on the ensuing possession, allowing the Eagles the opportunity to take the last shot.
Nadjrick Peat recorded eight points and a season-high 15 rebounds for the Chanticleers, who finished with a 50–41 advantage on the glass, including 20 offensive rebounds.
Webb led Georgia Southern with 22 points, while Tyren Moore added 21. The Eagles shot 24-of-32 from the free-throw line to secure the one-point victory.
Coastal Carolina returns to Sun Belt action Saturday, Jan. 3, hosting Georgia State inside the HTC Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.