In an embodiment, a method of preventing evaporator coil freeze in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is performed by a controller in the HVAC system. The method includes determining a reference saturated suction temperature (SST) via a sensor disposed in relation to an evaporator coil in the HVAC system. The method also includes determining whether the reference SST is below a minimum SST threshold. The method also includes, responsive to a determination that the reference SST is below the minimum SST threshold, increasing a discharge air temperature (DAT) setpoint.