CONWAY, S.C. — Coastal Carolina will play its home opener Friday night when the Chanticleers host Virginia University of Lynchburg at the HTC Center. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs and continues a trend of early-season games against National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) opponents.

Coastal (0-1) opened the season Monday with a 76-71 loss at Western Michigan in the first round of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Guards Joshua Beadle and Rasheed Jones each scored 21 points, while freshman AJ Dancler added 18 in his debut. The trio combined for 60 of Coastal's 71 points.

Despite shooting 41 percent from the field and making nine 3-pointers, the Chanticleers were out-rebounded 37–35 and called for 29 fouls. Western Michigan closed the game on a 15–10 run, converting 28 of 35 free throws to seal the win.

Friday's contest will mark the first of the season for the Dragons, under head coach Kevin Johnson. Junior guard Jacob Newman, a first-team all-region selection who averaged 17.9 points per game last season, returns as the team's top scorer.

Coastal will look to extend several streaks in its home debut. The Chanticleers have won five straight home openers and 49 consecutive games against non-Division I opponents, a streak that dates back to 2008. Coastal is also unbeaten all-time against NCCAA programs.

A win Friday would give Coastal its sixth straight home-opening victory and improve its record to 11-2 in home openers at the HTC Center.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET at the HTC Center. Coastal Carolina Hall of Famer Tony Dunkin will make his broadcasting debut alongside Sam Weiderhaft on ESPN+.