Tyler, Tx- The Coastal Bend men's basketball team faced Tyler Junior College on Monday, January 7th for their first road trip here in 2019. CBC would battle a 11-2 team, winners of three straight conference contests in the Apaches.
In what seemed to be another showing of their most recent play, the Cougars began the game slowly from tip-off. Coastal Bend fell behind by double digits in the first half with a subpar shooting performance as they trailed TJC at the break 43-27.
The second half faired much better for the Cougars as they played with better communication and urgency on both sides of the court. Coastal Bend soon went on a run to cut the double digit deficit into single digits. Solid defense and a collective effort of scoring from Royce Hunter and Gerald Thomas helped put CBC in a position to tie the game or take the lead. With about two minutes remaining in the second half, CBC found themselves down by two points, with the ball. The Cougars ran a set play to get an open three point shot, but it did not fall. On the insuing possesion for TJC, they converted an a three point play to increase their lead to five points. The Apaches went on to control the game and win by a final score of 74-66.
CBC Guard, Royce Hunter lead the team in scoring and assists with 19 points and five helpers while corraling six rebounds. Guard, Gerald Thomas netted 13 points and snagged six rebounds for the Cougars. Charles Callier scored eight points while grabbing down seven boards. Forward, Peyton Hardin tallied eight points, four rebounds and two steals for CBC. Cory Holt chipped in nine points of the bench to help pace Coastal Bend.