Jones' 26 lead Coastal Carolina past Massachusetts 94-91 in 3OT

Sophomore guard Rasheed Jones scored a team-high 26 points and teammate Joshua Beadle sank a decisive three-pointer with only two seconds remaining in triple overtime to lead the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to a thrilling 94-91 victory over the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on Saturday. The intense non-conference matchup, held at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, served as a test of endurance for both programs as they sought to establish momentum early in the college basketball season. The victory marked a significant resilient performance for the Chanticleers, who managed to overcome multiple deficits throughout the extended periods of play. The game evolved into a marathon defensive and offensive struggle, with neither side able to secure a definitive lead during the final minutes of regulation or the first two overtime periods. Jones was the offensive engine for Coastal Carolina, shooting efficiently from the field to keep his team within striking distance. However, it was Joshua Beadle who eventually stole the spotlight; with the score tied and the clock winding down in the third overtime, he found space beyond the arc to deliver the game-winning shot that finally exhausted the Minutemen's defenses. Massachusetts provided a formidable challenge throughout the contest, matching Coastal Carolina’s intensity point-for-point until the final buzzer. The Minutemen relied on a balanced scoring attack and physical play in the paint to force the three extra periods, but they were ultimately unable to recover from Beadle’s late-game heroics in the closing seconds. The loss for UMass highlights the competitive nature of early-season tournament and non-conference play, while the Chanticleers celebrate a win that highlights their composure under high-pressure, late-game scenarios.