BEEVILLE — In their first game back from the semester and holiday break, the Coastal Bend Cougar basketball squad took little time to recover and shake off the rust. The CBC men rode rough-shod over the visiting Southwest Texas Junior College Cowboys, 86-46.

The victory raises the Cougar record to 10-2 on the season.

“It was a good win after being off for a little over three weeks since our last game. I was happy with the way we came out as far as our defensive effort and our overall play,” said CBC head coach Larry Mendez.

The Cougar defense was at its best in the first half and with the help of a lot of Cowboy turnovers, the CBC men grabbed an early 12-3 lead right from the opening tip. The CBC lead kept building throughout the first 20 minutes as the Cougars kept the pressure on and found open lanes to the baskets along with stopping and popping from the outside when the situation required it.

The Cougars held a 21-11 advantage with 8:30 left in the first half and then outscored the Cowboys 21-7 over the rest of the first half to own a 42-18 led at the intermission.

Mendez rested his starters for the most part in the second half, but the CBC bench was still able to more than hold their own with the visitors. Midway through the second half, the Cougars were out front comfortably 65-35 and cruised in from there for the big 40-point victory.

“We needed to get a game under us before we play our first regional game Wednesday against a good Tyler College basketball team,” Mendez said.

Kristen Minor led the Cougar scoring attack with 12 points. Connor Lewis followed closely with 11, and Derrick Little was also in double figures with 10.

The Cougars get back into Region XIV action on Wednesday night when they host the Tyler Apaches at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the Cougars will be on the road at Trinity Valley.