CONWAY - Senior center Naheria Hamilton scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and junior guard Zacharyia Esmon added 20 points and to lead Coastal Carolina to a 76-69 season-opening win against Arkansas at Pine Bluff Friday at the HTC Center. Coastal's Torrie Cash also hit double figures with 10 points while DJ Williams had seven points and nine rebounds. 
 
Hamilton and Esmon were key to the Chanticleers pulling away in the second half. The Chanticleers led by just five at the half, but stretched their lead to 15, at 64-49, when Hamilton scored consecutive baskets from close range. For Hamilton, it was the 20th double-double of her career along with tying her career high in points.
 
In contrast, Esmon got 12 of her points from 3-point range. The junior guard was making her debut for Coastal after two years at Walters State (TN) Community College, where she averaged 15 points last season.
 
After 13 lead changes in the first half, Hamilton sank a pair of free throws to give Coastal a 26-25 lead with four minutes left in the second period, and the Chanticleers led the rest of the way. Hamilton scored all of her 22 points in the final 24 minutes. Hamilton and Esmon combined for 14 of Coastal's last 16 points in the second period as the Chanticleers rallied from a one-point deficit to take at 40-35 lead at the half.
 
Coastal shot 27-65 (41%) for the contest and dominated the boards, with a 50-26 rebounding edge. Hamilton and Esmon combined to shoot 15-24 from the field.
 
Coastal Carolina returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13 when the Chanticleers host UNC Greensboro at 6 pm at the HTC Center.
 
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