Coastal Carolina's Rasheed Jones Shines, Leading the Team to Victory Over Old Dominion
Norfolk, VA - Coastal Carolina's star player, Rasheed Jones, put on a dazzling display, scoring 23 points and leading his team to a 76-74 victory over Old Dominion. This win marked an end to Coastal's three-game losing streak against the Old Dominion University (ODU) team. Jones' performance was a career-high, showcasing his exceptional shooting accuracy with 7-of-13 field goals, including two successful 3-pointers, and a perfect 7-of-7 free throw shooting.
The game was a close battle throughout, with Coastal Carolina's Joshua Beadle contributing 19 points and four assists, and Nadjrick Peat adding nine points and nine rebounds, including three blocks. Old Dominion's Jordan Battle also had an impressive performance, scoring 23 points, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
The turning point came in the second half when Coastal Carolina's defense stepped up, forcing 13 turnovers from Old Dominion, which led to 18 points for Coastal. This strategic play helped Coastal Carolina overcome a poor 3-point shooting performance, making only 7 out of 40 attempts.
Despite the loss, Old Dominion's Ketron Shaw and Caelum Swanton-Rodger contributed 20 and 10 points, respectively, with 10 rebounds. The game saw eight lead changes and six ties, with Old Dominion pulling even at 40 points in the second half. However, Coastal Carolina's timely shooting and free throw accuracy proved to be the difference.
The final moments of the game were intense, with Peat hitting two free throws to extend Coastal's lead to 74-68. Battle then responded with a 3-pointer to reduce the deficit to three. Jones sealed the win with two free throws, and Battle's last-second 3-pointer made it a one-point game. Coastal's defense held firm, and they emerged victorious.
Coastal Carolina's next game is scheduled for Monday, December 22, in Philadelphia against St. Joe's, with a tip-off time of 7 p.m. The team looks to build on this momentum and continue their winning streak.
Post-game highlights included Jones' fifth 20-point game of the season, Beadle and AJ Dancler's double-digit scoring, and Peat's achievement of 201 career blocks, making him the sixth active player to reach this milestone across all NCAA divisions. Coastal's strong performance in the paint and turnover management showcased their resilience and strategic prowess.
