BEEVILLE — The Coastal Bend Cougar basketball team played host to the Panola College Ponies on Tuesday night in the first Region XIV contest for the Cougars.

The CBC men played well on defense and kept the Ponies tethered most of the night for a 78-58 victory.

The teams battled on a fairly even basis through the first few minutes, but the hustling Cougar defense and their sharp-shooting guards kept the CBC men inching away from their foes throughout the first half. It was a 43-25 lead at the break and the Cougars never looked back.

The Ponies came into the game with a good 6-1 record, while the Cougars were coming off a 67-54 win at Lone Star Cy-Fair to improve to 4-1 in the early season. The win over the Ponies improves the CBC record on the year to 5-1 and 1-0 in Region XIV play.

The CBC defense dominated in the second 20 minutes. Panola could not get much closer than 16 points, 50-34, before the Cougars would make another run to lengthen their scoring lead back into the 20s.

The Cougars outscored the visitors 35-33 in the second half as the Ponies tried to get back into things. The Cougars were content to virtually trade baskets with Panola to secure the victory.

The Cougars recorded a balanced scoring attack with three players in double figures. Brandon Golden led the way with 19 points. La’Darrien Williams followed with 18, and Darrick Little added 10.

CBC will travel to Paris College in Paris, Texas on Wednesday. Their next home game will be on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. against the Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers.