THE COOPER CENTER | MONROEVILLE, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - North Women's Basketball battled through four quarters and overtime to earn a gritty 76-71 victory over Baton Rouge Community College (La.) on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10 in Monroeville. The overtime victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Coyotes and improved the overall record to 7-11 on the season. The win also secured a split of the regular-season non-conference series with Baton Rouge, as each team defended its home floor in the matchup.

Gilchrist's Big Day, Minnifield's Big Shot Leads Coastal to Victory

Coastal - North found itself chasing the Bears for much of the afternoon as Baton Rouge set the tone early with a 14-3 run to open the contest. The 'Yotes briefly took the lead twice during the third quarter but trailed Baton Rouge for the remainder of regulation. Despite the deficit, Coastal - North stayed within reach behind second-chance opportunities and a strong 24-point fourth quarter, ultimately forcing overtime tied at 63 points apeice at the end of the fourth frame.

In the extra period, the momentum finally swung. With the game tied and exactly one minute remaining in overtime, Joy Minnifield stepped up and drilled a deep go-ahead three-pointer, giving Coastal - North its first lead since the third quarter. Baton Rouge attempted to respond, but Coastal - North's defense held firm. In the closing seconds, Saije Taylor delivered the final blow, driving to the basket for an add-on layup to seal the overtime victory. Minnifield finished with 10 points, six assists, and seven rebounds, providing steady leadership throughout the contest, while Taylor finished the game with 16 points and five rebounds.

The Coyotes were led by a dominant all-around performance from Ariel Gilchrist, who poured in a career-high 28 points while pulling down 19 rebounds. Gilchrist was relentless on the glass and at the free-throw line, finishing 10-of-15 from the stripe and accounting for nearly half of Coastal - North's scoring output. Other contributors in the included Grace Smith, who collected a season-high 14 rebounds while adding seven points, and Starr Pittman who finished with seven points from off the bench. 

As a team, Coastal - North outworked Baton Rouge on the boards, finishing the game with 55 rebounds, while capitalizing at the free-throw line by converting 26-of-37 attempts. The Coyotes' persistence and late-game execution proved to be the difference as they closed out a hard-fought overtime win on their home floor.

Momentum Built Towards ACCC Action

Coastal Alabama - North Women's Basketball will return to action next Thursday, Jan. 15 when the 'Yotes host Snead State (Ala.) at the Cooper Center in Monroeville, Ala. Tipoff for the ACCC matchup is set for 5:00 p.m. CT as Coastal - North looks to keep momentum rolling following the overtime victory on Saturday.


 

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