A slow start to second half dooms the Bears

Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Men's Basketball 

Bossier City, LA

The Baton Rouge Bears and the Navarro College Bulldogs faced off this morning to conclude their participation in the fourth annual Decari Markray Classic hosted by BPCC. 

The first half was a tightly contested game, with both teams trading baskets and leads. During the opening ten minutes, there were two ties and three lead changes. The Bears received significant contributions from sophomore forward Bryce Coleman, who scored 10 of the Bears' first 16 points. The last ten minutes of the half mirrored the first, as both teams continued to battle for control. The Bears managed to tie the game at 33 with a steal and layup by Noah Toussaint with just 5.6 seconds left. However, the Bulldogs hit a jumper at the buzzer, taking a two-point lead into the locker room at 35-33. 

The Bears started the second half slowly, allowing the Bulldogs to capitalize with a 12-3 run that opened up a nine-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game, making it 47-38. The Bears struggled to contain the Bulldogs' inside game, leading to open perimeter shots that Navarro capitalized on in the second half. Despite strong performances from sophomores Bryce Coleman and Kentrell Freeman, the Bears could not overcome their slow start, ultimately losing to the Bulldogs with a final score of 78-63. The Bulldogs outscored the Bears 43-30 in the second half. 

With this victory, the Bulldogs improved to 6-2, while the Bears fell to 4-7 on the season. Navarro now leads the all-time series with three wins and no losses against Baton Rouge. 

Bryce Coleman led the Bears with a game-high 19 points. Jaquarious Patterson led the Bulldogs with 17 points. The Bears had two players in double figures: Bryce Coleman and Noah Toussaint. The Bulldogs had three players in double figures: Aadan, Patterson, and Williams. 

Bears Highlights :

Bryce Coleman led the Bears with 22 points and 7 rebounds. 

Noah Toussaint added 16 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Kentrell Freeman came off the bench to score 9 points and grab 7 boards.

Up Next:

The Bears will take time off for the Thanksgiving holiday and will return to the hardwood on Wednesday, December 3, when they travel to Goodman, Mississippi, to take on the Holmes Community College Bulldogs at 7:30 PM. 

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