Preview: Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs at Southern Union State Bison

WADLEY, Ala. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum at the end of difficult seasons will meet Monday when the Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs visit the Southern Union State Bison.

Both teams enter the contest on the heels of losses. Coastal Alabama (5-18) fell 101-78 at Bishop State on Feb. 23 before rebounding with a 102-90 home win over Wallace State on Feb. 26. Southern Union State (6-18) is looking to snap a two-game skid after an 84-73 home loss to Shelton State on Feb. 26 and an 89-93 defeat to Wallace State on Feb. 19.

The matchup will feature a compelling head-to-head battle between two of the region’s top scorers. Coastal Alabama is led by sophomore forward Makhi Jones, who is averaging 28.8 points and 10.0 rebounds over his last four games. Jones posted a 38-point, 5-rebound performance in a win at Lawson State on Feb. 16 and a 28-point, 14-rebound effort against Gadsden State on Feb. 12.

He will be countered by Southern Union State’s dynamic guard Don Tinsley. Tinsley is averaging 21.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season. He torched the Sun Chiefs for 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in a 109-96 road victory on Feb. 2, the most recent meeting between the teams. In his last seven contests, Tinsley has scored 20 or more points five times, including a 30-point outing at Bishop State on Feb. 15.

The Bison will look to sweep the season series and build on their offensive success from the first matchup. Southern Union State shot 54.2% from the field in the February win. Coastal Alabama will aim to tighten its defense, which has allowed an average of 96.3 points in its last three road games.

With both teams near the bottom of the conference standings, Monday’s game represents a critical opportunity to build positive momentum before their respective final regular-season contests on Thursday. Coastal Alabama hosts Shelton State, while Southern Union State travels to Gadsden State.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST at the F. M. Johnson Center on the Southern Union State campus.