Stigger Scores 26, Warhawks Beat Coastal South 70-59

Bay Minette, AL – Calhoun snapped their six-game losing streak in dramatic fashion Thursday night, rallying in the second half to defeat Coastal Alabama South, 70-59.

The matchup opened as a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading baskets and matching each other's intensity possession for possession. Jasmine Ervin set the tone early for the Warhawks, scoring Calhoun's first eight points of the night and establishing an aggressive presence in the paint. Her early production kept the game even as both squads looked to find rhythm offensively.

Momentum began to shift in the second quarter when Ervin was forced to the bench with foul trouble. Without their interior anchor, the Warhawks struggled to control tempo and string together defensive stops. Coastal Alabama South capitalized on the opportunity, pushing the pace and knocking down timely shots to build separation. Calhoun found themselves chasing the game late in the half, ultimately heading into the locker room trailing by 12 after being unable to slow the Coyotes' offensive surge.

The adjustments that were made at halftime paid immediate dividends.

Calhoun came out of the break with renewed focus and energy, tightening up defensively and finding a spark from the perimeter. The Warhawk backcourt caught fire in the third quarter, knocking down key outside shots that helped chip away at the deficit. Calhoun outscored the Coyotes by seven in the period, cutting the margin to just five entering the final quarter. The defensive effort improved as well, with better rotations and more physical rebounding limiting second-chance opportunities.

With the game still within reach, the fourth quarter belonged to Gabrielle Stigger.

Stigger took complete control down the stretch, delivering one of her most dominant performances of the season. She poured in 14 of her game-high 26 points in the final 10 minutes, attacking the rim, creating space off the dribble, and calmly knocking down free throws. She was perfect from the line in the fourth quarter, repeatedly stopping Coastal Alabama South's attempts to regain momentum. As Stigger heated up, the Warhawks' confidence grew, and the Coyotes had no answer.

Calhoun overwhelmed Coastal Alabama South 26-10 in the fourth quarter, turning a five-point deficit into an 11-point victory. The defensive pressure intensified late, forcing difficult shots and limiting clean looks, while the offense executed efficiently in half-court sets.

Stigger finished with 26 points, five assists, five rebounds, and three steals in a complete all-around effort. Mekera Standridge added 17 points and two steals, providing a steady scoring presence throughout the night. Jasmine Ervin, despite battling foul trouble, finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, playing a critical role in both the early offense and the late defensive stand.

Head coach Candace Byrd credited the team's resilience and collective effort in snapping the skid. "This was a great team win," Byrd said. "The energy in that second half was completely different. We challenged them at halftime to compete with confidence and play for each other, and they responded. It's a great way to get back on track and build some momentum moving forward."

The win improves Calhoun to (12-13, 3-7) on the season. The Warhawks will return home Monday, Feb. 23, to face Gadsden State (12-13, 4-6) at 5:30 p.m. inside Kelley Gymnasium.