Gulf Coast First Appearance In Semis Comes Up Empty
#14 Seed Gulf Coast State survived a couple of close games to reach the final four, and the obstacle between them and a first ever championship game showing was the three time National Champion, 4 time runners-up College of Southern Idaho. Not an easy task, but one they did not fear.
Things went well for the Commodores in the early going, as they built a nine point lead heading into the final 5 minutes of the first half. But that’s about when the Golden Eagles from Twin Falls, ID began eliminating the deficit and took a 38-36 lead into the locker room at half.
Down by one at the 17 minutes mark of the second half, 43-42, that’s when the wheels started wobbling for Gulf Coast. For the next 420 seconds of game clock, CSI went on a 23-2 run to build a 21 point advantage at 65-44.
A 14 consecutive point streak allowed the Dores to pull within 7 with six minutes and change left, but no closer could they get.
Most of the final quarter of the game saw Southern Idaho nurse a 10 point lead (+ or – a point or two) until the clock went to 0:00. CSI had won 82-70 and a berth in the Championship game against #1 Seed Howard College (32-4) Saturday, March 28 at 3:00. The game will be televised live on ESPNU.
Jaylen Lyn topped four Eagles in double digits with 24. Lyn was number 8 in total points scored in the tournament coming in to the game averaging 24 ppg for a total of 48. Ace Reiser ended with 23 and 8 apples.
Devontes Cobbs was top gun for Gulf Coast, draining 7 FGs (5-12 from 3 point land) for 22 points.
GCSC ends their excellent season at 28-8. CSI has another game and stands at 34-2.
For the first time in modern tournament history (single elimination format began in 2013 with all teams seeded) the Championship Game features the #1 and #2 Seeds.
