ANDERSON, S.C. – Coker College made 31 of 33 from the free throw line, 17 in the final 1:29, to hang on and beat Anderson University 82-75 in a CVAC men’s game Thursday night at the Abney Center.

Coker, 4-12 overall and 2-8 in the CVAC, jumped out to a 16-1 lead in the first five minutes of the game and led by as many as 17 points in the first half. The Cobras led 33-22 at the half.

Anderson, 4-12 and 2-8, got within seven points – 48-41 – with 8:47 remaining but 11 straight points by Coker pushed the Cobra lead to 59-41 with 5:43 to play.

But the Trojans didn’t fold. A basket by John LeSueur with 2:09 remaining cut the Cobra lead to 65-57. Anderson got within three – 76-73 – with 15 seconds remaining but two free throws by Blake Terrell and four by Michael Pierce put the game away for Coker.

Pierce led all scorers with 34 points and all rebounders with 10. He was 9-for-11 from the field and made all 12 of his free throw attempts. Johnny Jackson added 24 points for the Cobras.

Anderson was led by LeSueur with 25 points, Tariq Naqqash with 14 points, and O’Tey Sellers with 12 points.

Both teams shot 41 percent from the field. Led by Pierce, Coker won the boards, 36-30.

Anderson shot 80 percent from the free throw line (24-30).

The game was marred by six technical fouls – four against Anderson and two against Coker. Anderson’s Aurimas Silys was ejected in the second half after receiving two technicals.