JACK ROBERTSON ARENA | BAY MINETTE, Ala. - In the second and final meeting of the 2025-26 season, Coastal Alabama - North Men's Basketball earned a 98-84 victory in a chippy, non-divisional ACCC matchup with Coastal Alabama - South on Monday, Dec. 15, pulling away late in the game that was as physical as it was emotional. Coastal Alabama - South claimed the season's opening meeting with Coastal Alabama - North, edging the Coyotes 91-89 in Monroeville, Ala., on Nov. 13, but could not complete the series sweep in the December rematch.
Coastal Alabama - North goes into the Christmas break with a 9-6 overall record on the year, while sitting at 4-0 in the ACCC and in first place of the current ACCC D-II Men's Basketball standings. Meanwhile, Coastal Alabama - South drops to 3-9 on the year with two games remaining ahead of Christmas.
Chippy Coyotes Contest
December's matchup saw nine total technical fouls, along with two flagrant fouls and three ejections, displaying the intensity between the sibling rivals. Despite the disruptions, Coastal Alabama - North remained composed down the stretch, using rim protection and efficiency at the free-throw line to seal the win late in the second half.
Coastal - North led by just two at halftime (46-44), and eventually outscored Coastal - South 52-40 during the final 20 minutes. The northern Coyotes shot a strong 51.6% from the field on 62 total shot attempts, and converted 31-of-41 free throws, taking advantage of the game's physical nature. Coastal - North also controlled the interior, finishing with a 41-32 rebounding edge over Coastal - South.
Bryson Holmes led the way for Coastal Alabama - North with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting night, adding seven rebounds and a dominant five blocks on the defensive end. Bryce Wilkins posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Eli Pippins filled the stat sheet with 10 points, six assists, and four steals.
Meanwhile, Chimeziri Okeoma added 11 points and four rebounds, and Justin Burns chipped in 10 points and six boards. Off the bench, Jayden Evans provided a major spark, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Rashad Mitchell contributed 13 points and five assists, giving Coastal - North key production from its reserves as the game wore on. Seven total Coyotes from Coastal - North finished in double figures, best of the season thus far.
Coastal Alabama - South was led by BJ Cooks, who scored 19 points, and Makhi Jones, who finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Jaden Champion added 13 points, while Bryce Bracco had an efficient 14-point effort off the bench. Coastal - South shot just 29.7% from the field and made 28-of-38 free throws in the loss.
The three ejections came late in the game with both Eli Pippins (Coastal - North) and Bryce Bracco (Coastal - South) being tossed after receiving their second technical fouls of the game. In the closing minutes, Coastal South's Tyler Dixon was thrown out on a flagrant two call by referees.
In the end, Coastal Alabama - North's poise amid the chaos, combined with its depth and ability to capitalize at the free-throw line, proved decisive as the northern Coyotes walked away with a hard-fought 14-point victory in one of the most contentious games of the season.
Return After Christmas
Coastal Alabama - North will take a couple of weeks off to settle and will look to continue the momentum at the Pensacola Classic, set for Dec. 30-31 in Pensacola Fla. The Coyotes will open the two-day tournament with a matchup against East Mississippi on Dec. 30 at 3:00 p.m. CT, while following that game with a 1:00 p.m. CT tipoff against Pensacola State (Fla.) the next afternoon.
Coastal - North returns home to the Cooper Center in Monroeville, Ala. on Jan. 8.
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