HARTSVILLE, S.C – Julian Nelson led four Cobras in double figures with a season-high 33 points and seven rebounds in Coker's 97-90 win over the Lions of Mars Hill on Saturday (Feb. 8) in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action. The win improves Coker to 11-9 on the season and 8-8 in SAC play.
In addition to Nelson's 33 points, Errick Bethel poured in 19 points off the bench and dished out six assists. Eren Moses added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Trey Marshall netted 13 points, seven assists and four steals. Larry Felder led the Cobras with eight rebounds and chipped in seven points of his own.
The first twelve minutes of the game would be tightly contested as the Cobras clung to an 18-14 lead at the 11:44 mark following a Mars Hill layup. However, Coker would control the tempo the rest of the half and push the lead to 17 points and take a comfortable 55-38 lead into halftime.
The Lions would slowly chip away at the Cobras' lead during the second half, eventually taking a 72-71 lead with 8:36 remaining in the game. That would be the first and last time the Lions would lead in the game as the trio of Nelson, Bethel and Marshall outscored Mars Hill 26-18 in the final eight minutes to secure a 97-90 Coker victory.
The Cobras will be back in action on Wednesday (Feb. 12) at Catawba College. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the women's game at 6 p.m.
Release written by Coker sports information graduate assistant Sharod Williams '13.
