Coastal stuns Southern
Coastal Carolina went into Statesboro and picked up an upset victory in overtime, 79-75. The Chanticleers surpassed their win total from last season with 11, while the Eagles suffered their first home loss of the season.
Both teams came out firing from deep, but the Chanticleers got things started. Coastal jumped out to a quick 12-1 lead thanks to three three-pointers. Tyren Moore then clawed the Eagles back, going on a personal 12-2 run.
Defense took center stage in the middle of the first half, with both teams struggling to hit shots. However, Georgia Southern started to find the bottom of the net, jumping into the lead with seven minutes left in the half.
Scoring droughts hurt the Chants throughout the game, but especially in the first half, when they didn’t hit a field goal for nearly six minutes, allowing the Eagles to take control. Turnovers were also an issue, as Coastal hit its season average of 10 in the first 20 minutes.
After a short midrange jumper by Moore with about a minute left in the half, Georgia Southern took a nine-point lead. A Josh Beadle floater cut the deficit to 40-33, keeping the Chants within striking distance at the break.
Moore led all scorers at halftime, scoring just under half of the Eagles’ 40 points with 19. Khayri Dunn provided a spark off the bench, pitching in eight points. RaSheed Jones and AJ Dancler were essentially the only source of offense for the Chanticleers, combining for 20 points. Fellow backcourt mate Josh Beadle had a rough first half, committing five turnovers after a massive performance in the win against Marshall.
Tyren’s 19 in the first half were the most scored by an Eagle this season in any half! 🎯#HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/HXPJbb0ssM
— Georgia Southern Men’s Basketball (@GSAthletics_MBB) January 17, 2026
The Eagles came out strong in the second half, jumping out to a quick nine-point lead just three minutes in. The Chants immediately answered with five points to keep the game within reach.
However, another scoring drought by Coastal Carolina saw Georgia Southern begin to pull away again. A nearly three-minute drought led to an eight-point Eagles lead, once again making it appear the game was getting away from the Chants.
Beadle, who struggled for much of the game, and Jones, the Chants’ primary source of offense, became key options down the stretch to keep Coastal Carolina in it. Freshman Tristan Thompson also saw extended minutes late because of his defense on Moore, who was having a career night, while providing a spark on the defensive end.
With three seconds left, Beadle was fouled while Coastal trailed 70-67, sending him to the line for two shots. After making the first, head coach Justin Gray ensured both centers — Nadrick Peat and Derrick Green — were in the game. Beadle intentionally missed the second, Green grabbed the offensive rebound and converted an and-one layup with 1.9 seconds left. Green missed the free throw, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Chanticleers controlled the entire period, never trailing and securing the 79-75 victory.
Coastal Carolina was led by Jones, who posted a career-high 28 points. Dancler added 20 points and 10 assists, while Beadle finished with 18 points and did not commit a turnover in the second half or overtime after having five in the first half. Thompson also had a strong performance off the bench, slowing Moore late while grabbing seven rebounds.
Can’t let that man get hot pic.twitter.com/M01rfh4kkt
— Coastal Men’s Basketball (@CoastalMBB) January 17, 2026
Moore also posted a career-high for the Eagles, scoring 34 points while shooting seven-for-12 from deep. Georgia Southern had only one other player score in double figures, as Andres Burney finished with 10. Bench production was also a key storyline, as Dunn’s eight first-half points were his only points of the game, and the other three bench players combined to shoot two-for-15.
The Chants improved to 11-9 (4-4 Sun Belt) and return home Jan. 22 to host Texas State for the Bobcats’ final visit as a Sun Belt opponent. Georgia Southern fell to 13-7 (5-2) and will look to get back on track at home, hosting Troy and Arkansas State in the coming week.
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