HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker men’s basketball team blew a seven point halftime lead, as they were defeated by the Belmont Abbey Crusaders, 62-59 in a Conference Carolinas men’s basketball game on Monday night. The loss breaks the Cobras three game conference winning streak, dropping Coker to 8-10 overall, and 5-7 in the conference, while the Abbey improves to 11-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

Belmont Abbey took advantage of 24 Coker turnovers, including five to start the second half, converting those turnovers into 26 points. In addition to their points off turnovers, the Crusaders used a dominating second half to secure their second victory of the season over Coker.

Kyle Phillips led the Abbey with 17 points and six rebounds, while Richard Barbee had 12 points and four assists. Terrone Sheffey came off the bench to give the Crusaders 10 points and three steals, including shooting a perfect 100 percent on the night. (3-for-3 FG, 2-for-2 3pt, 2-for-2 FT).

Vatrick Thompson (Columbia, S.C.) led all scorers, netting 19 points off the bench for Coker, while Thomas Wright (Sydney Australia) continued his hot shooting, with 16 points and four assists. Mason Ambler (Atlanta, Ga.) had just nine points and five rebounds in the game, but committed a game high seven turnovers for the Cobras.

Coker returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 3, when they travel to Laurinburg, N.C. to take on the Knights of St. Andrews. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.