Beeville, TX  The Cougar Den was rocking Saturday night as the Navarro Bulldogs put their five game winning streak on the line. This would be Coastal Bend's first home Region XIV Conference game of the season.

The game began at a frantic pace with both teams trading blows for the first four minutes to the tune of 14-10, capped by a pair of and one's by Sophomore guard Malik Nash and Freshman Peter McKey. After adjusting to the pace of the Bulldogs, the Cougars defense set the tone for much of the night. The next four minutes both teams hit a drought, scoring only seven combined points with the Cougars holding a slight lead 17-14. Back to back turnovers by the Cougars opened the door for the Bulldogs to grab the lead 17-18.

The ensuing possession, CBC Sophomore Breion Powell drained a corner three assisted by Sophomore Enoch Fatade to give the Cougars the lead once again, 20-18. Navarro would respond with a 7-0 run to take the game's largest lead 20-25. The Cougars would end the run with a strong and-one finish from Freshman Sam Esan and continue to push back, scoring the next ten points to flip the lead in the Cougars direction, 30-25. Both teams would trade baskets for the next four minutes with the lead in favor of the Cougars 43-38 at the half.

Sloppy play and cold shooting by the home team to open the second half allowed the Bulldogs to surmount a 15-4 run by the first media timeout giving them the lead once again, 47-53. Feeling the game slipping away, Coach Robert Byrd called a timeout to refocus his team. Chants of "Defense" by the rejuvenated bench helped shift the intensity and the momentum as the Cougars climbed their way back in the game and a tie at 58 a piece. At the four minute mark the two found themselves at a stalemate at 65 when Freshman Jamil Muttilib scored 2 consecutive baskets to give the Cougars a five point edge, 70-65. The Cougars would not trail in the game again, closing out the Bulldogs 80-78.

Key players of the game Sophomore Malik Nash held down the Den with 24 points, 11-12 from the free throw line. Sophomore Brieon Powell chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds while Freshman Jamil Muttilib added 11 points.

The win moves the Cougars to 7-5 on the year 1-1 in Conference play. They will travel to Trinity Valley (7-5, 0-2) on Wednesday, December 7th. Tip-off is at 5:00 PM in Cardinal Gym.

(By Brandon Martinez Men's Basketball Assistant)