ANDERSON, S.C. – Coker jumped out to a 32-14 halftime lead and then held off an Anderson University comeback in the second half to beat the Trojans 58-51 in a CVAC men’s game Thursday night at the Abney Center.

Coker, 5-11 overall and 2-8 in the CVAC, made six 3-point goals in the first half while limiting Anderson to just 14 percent from the field. The Trojans made just 3 of 21 shots in the first half. Anderson scored just eight points in the first 16 minutes of the game.

In the second half, Coker built its lead to 24 – 41-17 – with 14:17 to play before Anderson started crawling back into the game.

Trailing 50-31 with 5:32 remaining, Anderson went on an 18-4 run. A 3-point basket by John LeSueur with 45 seconds remaining cut Coker’s lead to five – 54-49. But four free throws in the final 37 seconds finally put the game away for the Cobras.

Coker was led by Ryan Fulwood and Lukas Varga with 10 points apiece. Chaz Smith was the game’s leading rebounder with 11.

Anderson, 2-14 and 2-8, was led by Nathan Russell with 20 points. He was the lone Anderson player in double figures.

Coker shot 40 percent from the field to Anderson’s 28 percent.

Both teams struggled at the free throw line. Coker made just 12 of 21, while Anderson made just 14 of 23.