SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Coastal Carolina built a dominant early lead but couldn't hold it, falling 85–78 in overtime at USC Upstate on Wednesday night despite 19 points from Rasheed Jones and 16 each from AJ Dancler and Joshua Beadle.

The Chanticleers (5–4) blitzed the Spartans out of the gate, surging to a 19–2 advantage behind hot shooting and a string of defensive stops. Coastal maintained control for most of the first half and carried a 31–25 lead into the break.

"We've got to learn how to finish," Chanticleer head coach Justin Gray said. "We didn't finish the first half the way we wanted and gave them a little bit of life. I hate losing, but this is a good learning experience. This one hurts, but we'll learn from it and get better from it."

USC Upstate (5–5) gradually chipped away behind Mason Bendinger, who poured in a game-high 27 points, and Karmani Gregory, who added 21. The Spartans finally drew even late in regulation and forced overtime tied at 65.

Coastal struggled to regain momentum in the extra session, scoring 13 points while Upstate attacked the paint and lived at the line, finishing 24 of 36 on free throws. The Chants, meanwhile, were whistled for 27 fouls and outrebounded 47–44.

Dancler added four assists and two steals for Coastal, while Beadle contributed five rebounds and four assists. Jones went 6 of 16 from the field and hit three 3-pointers.

Coastal returns to action Saturday, Dec. 6, at Winthrop. The game is slated for 2 p.m.