CONWAY, S.C. – Taycee Wedin hit a desperation three-pointer as time expired to give Saint Mary's an exciting 61-58 over Coastal Carolina on Wednesday afternoon at the HTC Center, handing the Chanticleers their first loss of the season, after a record-setting eight wins to start the season.
 
Aja Blount had a game-high 20 points for the Chanticleers, including a free throw with 14 seconds remaining that tied the game at 58-58, setting the stage for Wedin's game-winner, despite tight defense from freshman guard Jordyn Newsome.
 
"Jordyn was right there; she just hit an incredible shot," said head coach Jaida Williams, whose team is now 8-1. "Sometimes that's just basketball."
 
Saint Mary's took the lead in the second quarter and held the advantage until Newsome made a layup that gave the Chanticleers a 56-54 lead, with 4:06 left. From there, Wedin's bucket was the only field goal for either team until the final second. Wedin was one of four scorers in double figures for the Gaels, now 6-4. She had 11 points. While Madeline Holland and Ali Bamberger had 12 apiece.
 
In addition to Blount, Coastal had reserve guard Angie Juste-Jean hit for a career-high 19 points. Tyra Brown had nine points, all in the first quarter.
 
The Blount-and-Brown combination gave the Chanticleers an early advantage, as each had nine points to lift Coastal to a 20-12 lead, its largest lead of the contest. Brown hit on three three-pointers, while Blount worked the inside for her points. The momentum shifted, however, as Bamberger scored six points in the Gaels' 16-0 run in the second quarter as they took a 34-24 lead. During the run, Coastal went more than six minutes without a point. The Chants were just 2-of-16 from the field in the quarter and trailed 37-27 at the break.
 
Blount had 11 points at the half but missed the last six minutes of the second quarter because of foul trouble. And Brown went scoreless for the rest of the game.
 
Blount and Juste-Jean combined for 13 points to lead a third-quarter comeback that left the Chants behind by just three, at 49-46 at the close of the period. An early 7-0 run gave the Chanticleers their first lead since mid-way through the second period.
 
Coastal and Saint Mary's each shot under 40 percent from the field for the game. Coastal made four more free throws going 10-of-17, but Saint Mary's made them when they counted the most. Coastal made just 2-of-4 free throws in the final 3:30, while the Gaels converted 4-of-6. Coastal held a slim 42-38 rebounding advantage, with Janae Camp having a team-high 10 rebounds. Blount grabbed nine.
 
Coastal Carolina will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 18, when the Chanticleers will host Florida A&M at 2 p.m. in the opening contest of the Coastal Carolina Christmas Classic.
 
For complete coverage of CCU women's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUSports.com.