Coastal Carolina women’s basketball conquered Texas State University 85-53 despite numerous injuries at the HTC Center on Wednesday night.
The Chanticleers showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness, specifically the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, by wearing pink. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is dedicated to recognizing student athletes of great character who puts the needs of others before their own, uplifting teammates, and communities with humility and grace.
CCU guard Paige Bradley was chosen to be a Kay Yow Servant Leader for the season because of her personal experience.
“She’s just an amazing human being… Her and I talked yesterday about what this means, because I lost my sister to cancer, Paige’s sister won her battle against cancer, so it’s just something her and I talked about,” head coach Kevin Pederson said. “For her to come out and play, every time she puts that patch on, she comes out and it’s just the leadership she gives this team, but it’s more than leadership, it’s just what she’s playing for.”
The Chanticleers started off the night at a disadvantage by not winning the initial tip or gaining the first points of the match.
Coastal was able to turn their luck around gaining a lead within the first quarter.
Texas State proved a worthy opponent with aggressive play earning eight fouls throughout the game.
The Chanticleers were able to secure the first quarter 21-6, using their speed and resilience to claim rebounds.
Within the second quarter, Bradley sustained an injury, taking her off the court and out the rest of the game.
Tessa Grady and Forward Kinsea Grimes, despite the setback, continued to bring the heat to the court offensively. Grady collected 21 points, with Grimes collecting 16.
Before the end of the second quarter, Guard J’yana Salton sustained an injury, making her unable to walk off the court without assistance, leaving Coastal without two of their starting guards.
With numerous injuries, the tension within the arena continued to build, ending with Coastal taking the second quarter, 29-18.
By the start of the third quarter, Texas State began closing the gap. This forced Coastal’s defense to translate skills from practice into gameplay.
“I think we definitely had to be humbled,” Grimes said. “We had to get back to the basics and work hard and practice, not only just go at each other in practice, but kind of translate it onto the court.”
Guard Kristin Williams proved herself an offensive leader for the Chanticleers, making numerous three-pointer shots and securing 18 points overall. Salton returned to the court, providing solid support for the Chanticleers.
Coastal’s matchup against Texas State was physical with a total of 17 fouls between the two teams.
Before the end of the third, CCU forward Tracey Hueston appeared to receive a significant injury to her leg, but continued to play through it, slightly limping throughout the rest of the quarter.
Throughout the fourth quarter, Coastal continued to lead on court. Williams and Grady continued to add onto Coastal’s score, not allowing injuries and defensive mistakes to affect their performance.
“I thought it just became attention to our practices, to finish off practice, to finish the fourth quarter,” CCU forward Tateyoina Harris said. “Same way, same mentality, like to push out the mental battle.”
Coastal ended the match against Texas State 85-53; the Chants will look to keep the same momentum when they host Troy University on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.
