Beadle's 29 lifts Coastal Carolina past Louisiana in historic road victory

Coastal Carolina secured a gritty road victory over Louisiana with a 69-65 win in the Cajundome, marking its first-ever win in that building.

Coastal Carolina (16-11, 8-6 Sun Belt) improved to 8-2 in its last 10 games and jumped to fifth in the Sun Belt behind a big night from Josh Beadle, who scored 29 points, his second-most this season. Despite leading the entire game, it wasn’t easy for the Chants, as they had to hold off a charging Louisiana (9-17, 6-7) late in the second half.

Coastal jumped out to an early 11-point lead but then went on a drought of more than six minutes without a made field goal. That allowed the Cajuns to cut the lead to four with just under six minutes left in the half after a big 3-pointer from Kyran Ratliff. Coastal pushed the lead back to 12, its largest of the game, but a late run by Louisiana cut it to 36-29 at the break, with the Cajuns carrying momentum into halftime.

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#GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/IupPyepka6

— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Men’s Basketball (@RaginCajunsMBB) February 13, 2026

Although Coastal never trailed in the first half despite the scoring drought, its defense and ability to get to the free-throw line were key. Beadle had 15 of his 29 points in the first half, while fellow guards RaSheed Jones and AJ Dancler each added at least six. The Chants shot 50% in the first 20 minutes, with several baskets coming late in the shot clock.

Coastal opened the second half with a quick basket, but Louisiana cut the lead to two by the first media timeout. The Chants stretched the lead back to six before a scuffle resulted in technical fouls being assessed to Coastal’s Jones and Dajohn Craig, as well as Louisiana’s Ratliff and Dorian Finister.

The lead hovered around six for much of the second half, but a layup by Jaxon Olvera with 7:39 remaining cut it back to two. Louisiana had multiple opportunities to take the lead, but missed shots and turnovers plagued the Cajuns as time ticked away.

After Finister made two free throws with just under two minutes remaining, Louisiana trimmed the lead to one. its closest margin of the second half. Dancler then missed a jumper, giving Louisiana another chance to take the lead, but the Cajuns couldn’t capitalize. Dancler responded with a huge step back 3-pointer that proved to be the dagger. After several made free throws, Coastal iced the game to secure the 69-65 victory.

Coming back to the 🏠 with a W pic.twitter.com/fe2AYOfsI2

— Coastal Men’s Basketball (@CoastalMBB) February 13, 2026

Beadle’s 29-point performance was supported by Dancler’s 15 and Jones’ 10. The Chants shot 44% from the field and an impressive 47% from 3-point range. Coastal also outrebounded Louisiana by six, helping offset 19 turnovers.

Louisiana was led by Olvera and Finister, who each scored 19 points. De’Vion Lavergne added 15, but no other Cajun scored more than five. Louisiana shot just 36% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.

The win marked Coastal Carolina’s first victory in the Cajundome. It was also the team’s eighth road win of the season, its most since joining the Sun Belt. The victory gave the Chants eight Sun Belt wins, their most since the 2021-22 season, and the most road Sun Belt wins in program history.

Walk into your trap… 😎

Officially our most road wins since joining the SBC 👌 pic.twitter.com/33weJ9hAqO

— Coastal Men’s Basketball (@CoastalMBB) February 13, 2026

Coastal will return home to face James Madison on Feb. 18 in Conway. Louisiana will look to bounce back Feb. 16 at Old Dominion.