Commodores rally during second half to earn first conference win over Chipola

Panama City, FL — The #4 Commodores earned a big conference win on Wednesday night, defeating #13 Chipola 81–75 in an exciting matchup inside the Billy Harrison Fieldhouse. The victory marked the Commodores' first conference win of the season and improved their overall record to 18–1.

Gulf Coast came out strong in the first half, setting the tone early. Trent Lincoln led the way, scoring 12 of Gulf Coast State's 22 points in the opening 13 minutes of play. His hot start helped the Commodores build their largest lead of the night at 22–9. Chipola answered back with a nine-point run, cutting the lead to four at 22–18 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half. The Indians continued to push and tied the game at 23–23 with 3:33 left. The two teams traded baskets to close the half, but Chipola edged ahead and took a 35–33 lead into the break.

Chipola carried that momentum into the second half, jumping out to a seven-point advantage at 49–42. The Commodores responded with energy and toughness. With 11:30 left, a foul sent Iyran Francis to the free-throw line. He knocked down the first shot, and after the miss on the second, Traevon Koch grabbed the rebound and finished with a powerful dunk to pull Gulf Coast St. within two at 53–51. That play sparked the Commodores, who went on a five-point run to take a 56–53 lead with 8:33 remaining.  The Commodores took control of the game from there. With 6:28 left, Koch drilled a three-pointer to make it 65–55 and bring the crowd to its feet. The Commodores stayed hot from long range as Devontes Cobbs hit a clutch three, Aiden Caulker followed with another, and Cobbs connected again before Chipola called a timeout. Gulf Coast continued to build the lead and went ahead 77–65 with just two minutes left.

Chipola made a late push, but the Commodores stayed composed. Cobbs knocked down his third three-pointer of the game with 1:35 remaining, and Lincoln sealed the win with the final basket from beyond the arc. The Commodores closed out the 81–75 victory.

Both basketball teams will return to action on the road for their next conference matchup on Saturday, January 17, in Tallahassee, FL, against Tallahassee State. The women are set to tip off at 2pm est, followed by the men's game at 4pm est.