DUE WEST, S.C. – The Coker College men's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with a 63-54 win over the reigning Conference Carolinas Tournament Champions North Greenville University Crusaders on Friday (Nov. 13) at the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.

Neither team would pull away in the first half, with the Navy and Gold heading to the locker room with a 25-20 advantage.

The Cobras came out on fire in the second half, using a 10-3 run in the first five minutes to take a 12-point 35-23 lead. North Greenville worked back to just a six-point deficit with 1:46 left in the game, but made jump shots and free throws would give Coker the 63-54 win. 

Jake Barrett led the offensive attack with 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Donte Samuels finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Trey Marshall chipped in nine points, while the duo of Trey James and Jalal Abdul-Azeez recorded eight points.

The Cobras will be back in action tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. when they take on the Erskine College Flying Fleet.