BELMONT, N.C. – Errick Bethel scored a team leading 16 points in the Coker men's basketball team's loss to Belmont Abbey, 91-71, on Thursday (Jan. 31) night. With the loss the Cobras fall to 9-9 overall and 6-6 in Conference Carolinas play.
The first half of the game was very close as neither team gained more than a four-point lead and the score was tied five times, with the Crusaders taking a 42-41 advantage into the locker room at the break. Belmont Abbey took a quick 47-41 lead to start the second half, but the Cobras closed the gap and evened the score at 49 with 18 minutes remaining. Unfortunately for Coker, that would the last time it would tie the game as the Crusaders took the lead for good 20 seconds later.
As a team the Cobras knocked down 13 baskets from beyond the arc, shooting 41.9 percent from 3-point range. They also shot 40 percent from the field and had 27 of their 71 points come off the bench.
Bethel scored 15 of his 16 points from 3-point range, while Andrew Morris scored 12 of his 14 points from long range. Julian Nelson added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Coker returns to the hardwood on Saturday at Erskine College. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.