Box Score THE COOPER CENTER | MONROEVILLE, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - North Women's Basketball turned in a dominant ACCC Division II performance on Thursday night, Jan. 22, rolling past Wallace - Selma 79-49 to get back on trach in the current conference standings. The Coyotes led from start to finish on Thursday, holding the Patriots to just 11 points in the first half, while recording a season-best 22 steals in the 30-point win.
The overall record improves to 8-12 for the 'Yotes, while the ACCC record moves to 3-4. Additionally, the 3-4 conference puts Coastal - North in a tie for fourth with Wallace - Selma.
Setting the Tone
The Coyotes wasted no time setting the tone in Thursday's important matchup, exploding for 27 points in the first quarter and carrying a 44-11 advantage into halftime. Coastal - North continued to control the tempo in the second half, finishing the night 31-of-91 (34.1%) from the floor and 14-of-24 (58.3%) from the free throw line. The Coyotes owned the glass with 45 total rebounds, including 24 on the offensive end, while forcing 22 steals and tallying seven blocks.
Ariel Gilchrist led the charge with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and an eye-popping 10 steals, narrowly missing a triple-double. She added four free throws and consistently disrupted Wallace - Selma's offense with her defensive pressure. Her 10-steal performance is a new career high.
Meanwhile, Joy Minnifield paced Coastal - North in scoring with 15 points off the bench, adding five assists and four rebounds, and Tamira Smalls contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, joining Minnifield with a strong performance as a reserve. In the starting lineup, Grace Smith added eight points and five boards, while Starr Pittman knocked down two three-pointers on her way to eight points. Saije Taylor helped contain the paint with seven rebounds and three blocks to go along with four points.
The Coastal - North bench saw contributions throughout the contest as Jamonica Miller provided an efficient spark with six points on 3-of-4 shooting. Lailah Hill pulled down four rebounds with two assists, Ashley Brach added three points, and Ma'Kayia Seymour contributed four rebounds. Akira Martin finished with four points and three steals, helping anchor the defensive effort.
The Coyotes' relentless defense and depth proved too much, as Coastal - North maintained control from start to finish to secure a key conference victory.
With the win, Coastal Alabama - North continues to build momentum in ACCC Division II play as conference action intensifies.
Return to Non-Conference Action
Coastal - North returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 24, traveling to New Orleans, La. for a non-conference battle against Delgado Community College (La.). Saturday's game is scheduled to tip off at 2:00 p.m. CT.
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