Preview: Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs at Lawson State Cougars

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking to reverse difficult seasons will meet Monday when the Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs visit the Lawson State Cougars.

The game, scheduled for Feb. 16, 2026, will be a rematch of a Jan. 19 contest won by Lawson State, 88-76, on Coastal Alabama’s home floor. The Cougars (5-13) have struggled since that victory, losing five of their last six games. Their most recent outing was a 71-57 defeat at Shelton State on Feb. 12, where guard Yusef Bowyer led the team with 21 points.

The Sun Chiefs (3-16) have lost eight of their last nine, but are coming off a narrow 91-87 home loss to Gadsden State on Feb. 12. In that game, forward Makhi Jones recorded a dominant double-double with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Jones has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 21.2 points over his last five games, though he was held to just nine points in the previous meeting with Lawson State.

Bowyer has been Lawson State’s primary offensive threat, averaging 21.0 points per game over his last three appearances. His scoring will be pivotal for a Cougars team that has had difficulty putting points on the board consistently.

Both teams rank near the bottom of the conference standings, making this a critical opportunity to build momentum for the final stretch of the season. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to be a high-scoring affair, ending in a 100-100 tie.

For Coastal Alabama, containing Bowyer and improving defensive efficiency will be key after allowing an average of 99.2 points in their last five losses. Lawson State will aim to replicate its defensive success from January against Jones while finding secondary scoring options.

The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. CST at Lawson State’s Cougar Gymnasium.