HARTSVILLE, S.C. – It was a team effort that led the Coker men's basketball team to a 79-70 win over King University on Saturday (Jan. 26) afternoon. Four players scored in double figures to lead the Cobras, including junior Bryce Arnott's career high 16 points. The victory improves Coker to 9-8 overall and 6-5 in Conference Carolinas play.

The game started very slow for the Cobras as King jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the opening five minutes of play, but Coker was quick to respond tying the game at 10 with 13 minutes left in the half. The Tornado regained and maintained the lead until the final seconds of the half when Teon Beckett knocked down a 3-pointer in the corner, giving Coker a 32-31 lead heading to the locker room.

The second half belonged to Coker, as the Cobras dominated the game. The largest lead of the game, 12 points, came at the six-minute mark with Coker leading 62-50. Arnott scored the final 11 points of the game for the Cobras during the final two and half minutes, all from the charity stripe. 

Beckett, Andrew Morris and Errick Bethel were the other three Cobras to score in double digits. Beckett had 13 points, three assists and two steals. Morris also scored 13 points, 12 of which where from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, while Bethel knocked down 11 points with two assists, a rebound and a steal. Arnott finished with a game high 16 points, going 13-for-16 from the foul line, with two assists and two steals.  Sharod Williams and Julian Nelson came just short of the double figure mark, with Williams scoring eight points with seven rebounds and Nelson netting seven points with seven assists.

This marks Coker's first win over King since the Tornado joined Conference Carolinas in 2011.

Coker will hit the hardwood again on Thursday (Jan. 31) at Belmont Abbey. Tip-off for the Conference Carolinas game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

McDonald's Player of the Game- Bryce Arnott