HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Senior Errick Bethel poured in a game-high 33 points in the Coker Cobras 82-73 loss to North Greenville University in men's basketball action on Friday (Nov. 14) night. The game was part of the Sodexo SAC /Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted by the Cobras.
The Cobras jumped out to an early 13-4 lead thanks to 11 points from Bethel. North Greenville bounced right back and took 15-13 lead with 14:10 left in the half. The Crusaders built as much as a six-point lead in the opening stanza, but the Cobras would not go away quietly. Bethel knocked down seven consecutive points in the final minutes of the half, tying the game at 36 at the break.
The Cobras and the Crusaders exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the second half, but a 15-2 run by North Greenville put the Crusaders on top 63-50 with 9:53 left in the game, and they never looked back. Coker cut the lead to just six points, 67-61, with 6:27 left to play with a Bethel three-pointer, but that would be as close as the Cobras would get.
Bethel finished the night by going 13-for-25 from the field, including hitting seven from beyond the arc for 33 points. He also pulled down three rebounds. Trey Marshall scored in double figures with 12 points, two rebounds and five assists and Larry Felder added eight points and three boards.
Coker will return to the floor for day two of the Sodexo SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge on Saturday (Nov. 15) against the Erskine College Flying Fleet. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
McDonald's Player of the Game – Errick Bethel