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Box Score 2 MONROEVILLE, Ala. - The 2025-26 season is off to a challenging start for the Coastal Alabama - North Women's Basketball team, as the Coyotes dropped their first two contests of the year within a three-day span. Coastal - North opened the campaign at home on Nov. 1 against in-state counterpart Coastal Alabama - South, falling 83-66 despite a strong second-half surge. Two days later, the Coyotes suffered an 88-67 road setback to Meridian Community College (Miss.).
Coastal Alabama - North entered the season ranked No. 22 in the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Top 25 and will look to bounce back at home on Friday, Nov. 7, when the Coyotes return to the Monroeville campus.
Game One: Coastal - North vs. Coastal - South
Despite the final score, Coastal Alabama - North displayed resilience in its season opener. After trailing 38-24 at halftime, the Coyotes erupted for 24 points in the third quarter to trim the deficit to single digits before Coastal - South pulled away late in the fourth.
Sophomore Saije Taylor led the Coyotes with 16 points and seven rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Freshman Ariel Gilchrist also flirted with a double-double, reaching double figures with 11 points and adding eight rebounds and a team-high five steals. Off the bench, Lailah Hill contributed eight points and four boards, while Ashley Brach added six points. As a team, Coastal - North shot 41.3% from the field and collected 37 rebounds, but was hampered by 33 turnovers.
Game Two: Coastal - North @ Meridian Community College
In their first road outing, the Coyotes once again showed grit after a slow start. Meridian built a 45-19 halftime lead before Coastal - North stormed back with a 31-point third quarter to cut the margin to single digits. However, the Eagles regained control in the fourth quarter with 27 points to secure the win.
Freshman Lailah Hill paced the Coyotes with 20 points and eight rebounds, connecting on eight of 14 free-throw attempts. Saije Taylor followed with a double-double performance, recording 19 points and 11 rebounds and adding all three of the team's blocked shots. Despite the strong individual showings, turnovers again proved costly, as the Coyotes committed 31 in the loss to Meridian.
Up Next
Coastal Alabama - North returns home to Monroeville, Ala. on Friday evening, Nov. 7 to face Andrew College (Ga.) in non-divisional action. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT, with live coverage being aired on JockJive.com.
FOLLOW THE YOTES
For coverage of Coastal Alabama North Athletics, follow the Coyotes on social media at /CoastalAlabamaNorth (Facebook), @CoastalAL_north (Twitter), and @coastalal_north (Instagram), or visit the official home of the Coastal Alabama North Athletic Department at https://coastalcoyotessnorth.com/index.aspx.
