After three straight losses to NJCAA Region 14 opponents, the Lamar State College Port Arthur Seahawks were feeling really down. Turns out, all it took was a trip down to South Texas to turn the whole thing around.

The Seahawks topped Coastal Bend College 87-74 in a conference win that gives LSCPA back-to-back league victories, having beaten Bossier Parish Community College this past Thursday in the Carl Parker Center.

"I've always said it, basketball is a game of runs. You take what you learn from the bad and you turn it around and make it good again," Head Coach Lance Madison said. "We lost some games, some close games, but we didn't let that put an end to our season. Our guys rededicated themselves in practice and they put everything they had out there on the court during these past two games."

Coastal Bend, which fell to 10-9 overall and 1-7 in Region 14 play, used its home court advantage to stay close to the Seahawks, even late in the game. Ultimately, the Hawks pulled away thanks to its strong defense and even stronger rebounding late in the second half.

Sophomore guard Bentravin Phillips scored 29 points to lead the Seahawks while teammate Jaylen Subject, a sophomore forward, added 23 points.

The Hawks face another Region 14 challenge when the Victoria College Pirates visit the Carl Parker Center in Port Arthur on Wednesday, January 24. Tipoff for that contest is 7 p.m.