PERKINSTON, Miss. (Interstat) — The Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs will open their 2025-26 men’s basketball season on Friday, hosting the Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs in a junior college non-conference matchup.

The game, scheduled for October 31, will be the first official contest for both teams. The Bulldogs last took the court in March 2024, falling 83-81 to Jones College in a narrow defeat. The Sun Chiefs enter the new season looking to build a fresh identity.

Friday’s opener kicks off a challenging early schedule for both squads. Mississippi Gulf Coast will travel to face Pensacola State the following night, while Coastal Alabama is set for a road game at Itawamba on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Alabama on November 21.

The matchup will provide the first look at new rotations and strategies for both programs. With identical 0-0 records, the game offers an immediate opportunity to gain early-season momentum. The Bulldogs will aim to defend their home court and start the year with a victory, while the Sun Chiefs seek a positive result to launch a demanding road trip.