PEMBROKE, N.C. – Coker College guard Vatrick Thompson scored a game-high 24 points to help lead the Cobras to a 74-65 victory over UNCP on Saturday night at the English E. Jones Center as the Braves could not overcome 32 personal fouls and 25 turnovers in the nine-point loss.

Senior forward Brandon Thomas led the Braves in scoring with 18 points while freshman guard Shahmel Brackett added 11 to the Pembroke’s total. Thomas also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Brackett dished out six assists.

With the loss UNCP falls to 1-2 on the season while Coker improves to 2-1.

Coker’s Delonte Doles posted 17 points and five assists with teammate Mason Ambler posting a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds). As a team the Cobras shot a field goal percentage of 35.7 percent on 20-of-56 shooting, while converting 31-of-42 free throws on the night.

UNCP converted 26-of-51 field goals for a shooting percentage of 51 percent. The Braves also out-rebounded the Cobras 37-33 in the game.

The two teams traded buckets early in the game until Coker was able to pull away for a 14-point halftime lead at 36-22. The Cobras would extend their lead to as much as 18 at 43-25 with 17:56 left to play.

Coker would keep the Braves at arm’s length before UNCP was able to pull within nine at 59-50 with just over six minutes to go. Pembroke would cut the deficit to seven with 2:57 on the clock, but would not be able to get any closer over the final three minutes as the Cobras picked up the 74-65 victory.

The Braves will be back in action on Tuesday night when they host North Carolina Wesleyan in a matchup set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Jones Center. Coker will play Conference Carolinas opponent Erskine on Monday night at the Timberlake-Lawton Gymnasium.