On January 20th, after a rough four game stretch in conference play, Coastal Bend College looked to turn things around with some home cooking against Lee College on Saturday. 

Coastal Bend starting out the game by controlling the tempo and taking the lead 13-8 within the first 7 minutes of the contest. The Rebels gathered momentum going on a 12-0 run while the Cougars had trouble finding a bucket. After both teams took turns making baskets, the Cougars cut an 11 point deficit going into halftime. 

To start out the second half, the rebels would extend their lead into double digits as Coastal Bend would exchange points with Lee. The Cougars would get back into the game by trimming the Rebel lead to seven points at the eight minute mark. During the next few minutes of play, Coastal Bend would cut the deficit down to three points with just less than six minutes in the contest, 57-54. As Rashon Thomas, Dajuan Madden helped maintain the run, the Cougars brought the score down to, 61-60 with three minutes left. CBC regained their First lead since early on in the first half, 62-61 at the 2:30 minute mark. Lee then regained the lead with a made bucket, 63-62 with less than a minute left. A loose ball foul then sent Coastal Bend to the line as they made one of two free throws to tie the game at 63 all. The rebels would take the next possession and come up empty as Edmond Franklin would come up with a huge block and protect the paint for the Cougars. Thomas would knife his way through the lane to score a left handed layup with 11.5 seconds remaining. As Lee pushed the ball down the court off the scores layup, Coastal Bend intercepted a pass and then got fouled by Lee, as Bernard Randle hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to 66-63. Lee wound up missing a desperation three to attempt to tie the game. Coastal Bend ended up winning the game 66-63.

Thomas led Coastal Bend in scoring with 23 points, while he added four rebounds and three assists to the stat sheet. Madden finished the contest with 10 points, a team high five assists, followed up by four rebounds and two steals. Franklin was a dominate presence in the paint, with 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots on the game.

Carliss Robinson, CBC Men's Head Basketball Coach stated "The team stepped up and gritted out the game in the second half. Lee controlled most of the game, as they are a very well coached team. We needed to grind this game out defensively and I felt we did just that. It wasn't the best offensive display for us this game, but we made shots when we needed them the most. Late in the game, we made the stops we absolutely had to have, but most importantly we capitalized on them, made our shots and made free throws. Lee is a tough team and they were well prepared. I'm very pleased with how my team was able to climb back into the game with their defensive performance, which ultimately helped put us in the best position to win. I believe that was our best defensive showing, as a unit, that we've had all season. This was a much needed win for us."

The Cougars improve their home record to 7-1 on the season, with the Win against the Rebels. Coastal Bend's next game will be against Blinn College in Brenham, TX on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:00PM. The Cougars next home game will be on Saturday, January 27th as they host San Jacinto College at 4:00PM.