The temp outside the Peter S. Marecek Physical Fitness Center prior to tip-off of the Lamar State - Port Arthur vs. Coastal Bend College game was a warm 85 degrees.  However, the Cougars shooting would be ice cold during this crucial Region XIV - South match-up. 

The Region XIV - South Division has been a slugfest all season long.  First-place Jacksonville College is ineligible for post-season competition, leaving Blinn, Angelina, San-Jacinto, Lamar State and Coastal Bend battling back and forth for the top spots in the South Division and, more importantly the Region XIV Tournament first round byes.

With so much on the line, the Cougars and Seahawks spent the first portion of the game missing shot after shot.  The score after the first five minutes of play was Coastal Bend 3 and Lamar State 1.  Late in the half, the Lamar State shots began to find their mark, while CBC continued to struggle from long range and down low.  The Cougars would claw their way back to cut the Seahawk lead to five at the half of 29-24.  The second half however was all Lamar State as their hot shooting got hotter.  CBC would connect on only 34% of their shots from the floor and only 19% from long range losing 53-71.  

CBC was led in scoring by Rashon Thomas with 16 and Dajuan Madden's 12 points respectively.  

With the loss, the Cougars know they will finish in either the fourth or fifth place in Region XIV South and play in the opening round of the Region XIV Tournament next week in Jacksonville.  Before they can think about "March Madness" however, they have a Saturday contest at Angelina College to close the regular season schedule.  Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm in Lufkin.